Alec Pierce
Pierce is on IR with a heel injury and is out for the foreseeable future, so he should be treated as unavailable until the Colts open his practice window.
Role
Before the injury he was the Colts' top outside receiver and deep threat. The reporting I found has him playing two games in 2026: 5 catches on 7 targets for 72 yards (FantasyData and ESPN, about a week old). Week 1 he had 4 catches for 61 yards on 6 targets. He then left the Chiefs game after one catch. With him out, FantasyData names Josh Downs as the top wideout, with Tyler Warren at tight end sharing the target load. ESPN's page lists Keenan Allen and rookie Deion Burks (no role details) alongside Downs. FantasyData notes Allen could face an NFL suspension. I did not read a current depth chart or any snap-share data, so I can't give snap numbers for the Colts' receivers now.
Preseason coverage had him as the clear No. 1 after Michael Pittman Jr. was traded to Pittsburgh, on a $114 million extension. A Draft Sharks preview said he led the league in target air yards and ranked 16th in yards per route run. SI projected a 24-27% target share. If he returns healthy, the vacated Pittman targets are still there for him.
He is on IR, and Steichen said he will most likely not have his 21-day practice window opened in Week 8. The Draft Sharks preview called his earlier ankle surgery a cloud over his early-season status. His 2025 target share was 17.4% (Draft Sharks) and he is a deep-ball specialist. Warren and Downs compete for targets, and Downs has taken over as the top wideout while Pierce is out.
Where analysts split
Preseason, analysts disagreed on whether Pierce or Downs would be the better Colts receiver. One Apex piece argued Downs was the better target, and an SI projection favored Pierce. I found no current analysis of how the two will split work once Pierce returns. The open question now is when he returns, and the Colts have given no date.
Injury: IR: assessed avoid
Heel surgery recovery, practice window unlikely to open in Week 8
Pierce remains on IR recovering from surgically repaired heel; coach said his 21-day practice window will 'most likely not' open in Week 8, and he is limited to rehab work, so he is not a viable fantasy option currently.
What would change this: Whether the Colts open his practice window in a coming week and any report of him returning to practice
Research confidence: thin. Outlooks are grounded in web search over current reporting and refreshed through the season.
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