The Indianapolis Colts have activated wide receiver Alec Pierce off the physically unable to perform list and expect him to rejoin practice, a major development for a receiving corps that has been waiting for clarity on his recovery.
From surgery to the practice field
The Indianapolis Colts activated wide receiver Alec Pierce from the physically unable to perform list on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Fox59's Mike Chappell, and league sources said they expected him to practice that afternoon. If he did, it would mark the first time he had participated in an on-field team activity since undergoing left ankle and heel surgery in late March.
ESPN's Adam Schefter and Fox59's Mike Chappell reported that the Colts activated Pierce from the PUP list, and he is on track to be on the field when the Colts host the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.
Pierce missed all of training camp while rehabbing and had previously laid out a four-to-six-month recovery timeline in June that left his availability for the start of the season uncertain, The Athletic reported. The team move to activate him signals the next phase of that rehab — more on-field work and a gradual increase in intensity.
Contract, skill set and what he brings
The Athletic noted Pierce signed a four-year, $114 million contract in March — an agreement the outlet described as the largest free-agent deal for a receiver at the time. That investment makes his return to full participation a key development for Indianapolis.
On the field, Pierce is a proven downfield threat. The Athletic reported he led the NFL in yards per reception in each of the past two seasons, averaging 22.3 yards per catch in 2024 and 21.3 in 2025. That profile — a big-play vertical option — is part of why the Colts' plan for his ramp-up matters beyond simply filling a roster spot.
Immediate implications for the Colts' receiving room
The Indianapolis Colts activated wide receiver Alec Pierce from the physically unable to perform list on Thursday; if he practiced that day, it would mark the first time he had participated in an on-field team activity since undergoing left ankle and heel surgery in late March.
The Athletic projected that, in Pittman’s absence, the likely starting trio would be Pierce, Josh Downs and, most likely, Keenan Allen; that projection was presented by the outlet as a possible alignment for the opening-week roster. The Athletic also reported that, less than a month away from Week 1, Pierce was on track to be on the field when the Colts host the Baltimore Ravens, though Pierce had revealed in June that he faced a four-to-six-month recovery timeline that could have threatened his availability for the start of the season.
For now, the verifiable facts are simple: Pierce has been activated, he is set to practice, and the team will monitor his progress as they build him back into the offense. How many snaps he will be cleared for, and whether he will be available for Week 1, remains to be determined by the Colts' medical and coaching staff.
What to watch next
Practical markers to follow in the coming days and weeks will be how much contact and route volume Pierce receives in practice and whether the Colts ease him into 11-on-11 periods or special teams work. The team’s stated plan to "start ramping up" activity — reported by Bleacher Report and attributed to Adam Schefter — implies a phased return rather than an immediate full workload.
Given Pierce’s recent surgery and the missed training camp, the Colts will likely prioritize getting him through progressive practice milestones. If he reaches those milestones quickly, the club’s investment in Pierce and his demonstrated ability as a deep-play threat could change how Indianapolis deploys its receiving targets early in the season.
Until the Colts report otherwise, the most concrete takeaway is that Pierce has moved from the PUP list to active practice status, a tangible step forward in his rehabilitation and a development the franchise and its fans will be watching closely as Week 1 approaches.
