Steichen provides injury update on Colts WR Alec Pierce before Week 7

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is eligible to return to practice this week after missing four games on injured reserve.

However, that won’t be the case.

According to head coach Shane Steichen on Monday, Pierce will not practice this week and is still rehabbing his re-aggravated left heel, which he injured in Week 2 against Kansas City.

The Athletic’s James Boyd pointed out that Pierce was still in a walking boot during the Colts‘ Week 6 game with Tennessee.

#Colts HC Shane Steichen says WR Alec Pierce, who is eligible to come off IR this week, will not practice. He’s still rehabbing after aggravating his surgically repaired left heel last month.

No surprise on that front. Pierce was in a walking boot yesterday in the press box.

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) October 19, 2026

The Colts’ passing game has greatly missed Pierce’s presence. Not only is this unit lacking big-play potential, but opponents aren’t worried about the Indianapolis passing game beating them deep.

This allows the defense to defend the Colts more aggressively by shrinking the field and playing closer to the line of scrimmage, which can make moving the ball on short-to-intermediate routes and even on the ground more difficult.

Over the last two seasons, Pierce has led the NFL in yards per catch. He eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in 2025.

This offseason, Pierce signed a four-year, $114 million deal to return to the Colts in free agency.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Steichen provides injury update on Colts WR Alec Pierce before Week 7