Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that wide receiver Alec Pierce will suit up this weekend for the first time since week three on Sunday, Oct. 12. Pierce was sidelined for weeks four and five with a concussion, but has now cleared protocol ahead of the Colts week six matchup where they’ll host the Arizona Cardinals.
Pierce was a full participant during the Colts practices on Wednesday and Thursday.
The 25-year-old fourth year receiver sustained the concussion in week three against Tennessee, when he leapt over two defenders to attempt a catch. He came down incredibly hard and slammed his head into the ground and was in immediate pain. He exited the game after that play.
Pierce’s Role In Indianapolis Offense
Pierce has spent all four seasons of his NFL career with the Colts as a solid No. 2 or No. 3 receiver, which was his role for the first three weeks of this season. In two full games and the third that he eventually left, he had nine receptions for 171 yards.
He’s been one of the better deep ball targets in the NFL throughout his career as his average yards per reception is 17.7 in four years. He averaged 22.3 yards per reception during the 2024 season.
In Pierce’s absence, the Colts haven’t really filled his role as wide receiver No. 3 on the depth chart, instead delivering more targets to receivers Michael Pittman and Josh Downs, as well as rookie tight end Tyler Warren.
With Pierce back in the lineup, Daniel Jones will have a more consistent guy to look for on deep routes. In fact, the Colts top three receivers all have different strengths: Pittman is a great pass catcher on passes within 5-15 yards, Downs is a great midrange target coming across the secondary and Pierce is phenomenal running deep along the sidelines.
Colts Look To Follow Up Dominant Win Over Raiders
Indianapolis will take on the Arizona Cardinals in week six after delivering a healthy thumping to the Las Vegas Raiders by a score of 40-6.
It was a solid performance from the Colts offense, defense and special teams. Offensively, Daniel Jones threw for two touchdowns while Jonathan Taylor rushed for three. Defensively, Mekhi Blackmon and Laiatu Latu each had an interception on Raiders QB Geno Smith.
Indianapolis will look to follow that dominant performance up with another W against the Cardinals this week. Arizona got off to a good start to their season with wins over the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers, but have dropped three straight against San Francisco, Seattle and Tennessee.
Their last game was embroiled in dysfunction, as running back Emari Demercado fumbled the ball on a breakaway run at the goal line. His touchdown would have made the game 27-6 early in the fourth quarter. Instead, the fumble turned the ball over to the Titans, who scored 16 unanswered points in the final 10 minutes of the game to complete a comeback that shouldn’t have even been possible.
The Colts will look to take advantage of an embattled team at home on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m.
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