Source: Colts activating No. 1 WR Pierce off PUP

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  Stephen HolderAug 27, 2026, 10:39 AM ET

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  Stephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and NFL at large. Stephen finished first place in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition, and he is a previous top-10 winner in explanatory journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest. He has chronicled the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2013 and the Colts since 2013. He has previously worked for the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.

The Indianapolis Colts are activating wide receiver Alec Pierce off the physically unable to perform list Thursday, a source confirmed to ESPN.

Pierce underwent ankle surgery in March and now will start ramping up with hopes of returning for the Colts' regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

The news was first reported by WXIN-TV in Indianapolis.

The Colts re-signed Pierce in March to a four-year, $114 million extension to be their featured receiver after the offseason trade of Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March. But ankle and heel issues have blunted excitement for Pierce's 2026 season.

After a platelet rich plasma injection did not have the desired effect, Pierce and the Colts collectively decided surgery was the best option to prevent him from playing through the consistent soreness he experienced last season.

Pierce had his best season as a pro in 2025, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards for the first time and leading the NFL in yards per catch for the second straight year. He finished with 1,003 receiving yards on 47 catches for a 21.3 yards-per-reception average.