According to Joel A. Erickson of the IndyStar, the Colts have ruled out wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) for Week 16's divisional tilt against the Tennessee Titans. Pierce sustained this concussion during last weekend's loss to the Denver Broncos and was unable to practice all week. The 24-year-old will need to clear the league's protocol in order to return in Week 17 to face the New York Giants. During Weeks 10 through 13, Pierce found the end zone twice and averaged a solid 10.8 PPR points per game. While sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. to lead the passing attack. However, they do have a tough matchup ahead of them on Sunday as the Titans have allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) was seen doing some agility work off to the side during the team's practice on Thursday. Pierce is in the league's concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in the Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday and is missing his second straight practice on Thursday. He still has one day left to try and get on the practice field, but as things look right now, Pierce is trending toward being inactive in Week 16 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans on Sunday. If that's the case, rookie Adonai Mitchell would see a bigger role in three-wide sets alongside Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. However, we still wouldn't consider Mitchell an intriguing flex play in fantasy if Pierce is out while going up against a Titans defense that has allowed the third-fewest half-PPR points per game to opposing receivers in 2024.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) will not take part in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Pierce suffered a concussion early in the Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday and is in the league's concussion protocol. His status is firmly up in the air for a divisional tilt in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans. Pierce will have several more days to work through the protocol and will need clearance from an independent neurologist later this week in order to be active on Sunday. If the 24-year-old doesn't get the green light to play this weekend, rookie Adonai Mitchell would step into a starting role in three-wide sets next to Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. However, in Indy's low-volume passing attack, Mitchell wouldn't come recommended as a flex option for fantasy managers in their league's semifinal matchup.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol after leaving Sunday's Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos with a head injury. Pierce hit the ground hard in the first half while going after a deep ball and was later ruled out for the rest of the game with a concussion. The 24-year-old was targeted four times before his injury but failed to come down with any of them, giving any fantasy managers that started him a donut. Ashton Dulin (ankle) was inactive for the game, so rookie Adonai Mitchell played just shy of half of the offensive snaps. Mitchell didn't take advantage of Pierce's injury, failing to catch any of his four targets and also throwing a pick-six on a trick play in the fourth quarter. Pierce's status for Week 16 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans is now firmly up in the air.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) won't return to Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. The wideout wasn't involved before going down with a concussion, failing to catch any of his four targets. Fortunately, the Colts got Josh Downs (shoulder) back for this one, which will help lessen the blow. Michael Pittman Jr. could also see a few more looks from Anthony Richardson with Pierce out of commission. Pierce has been a sporadic fantasy contributor throughout the 2024-25 campaign, amassing 29 catches for 645 yards and five touchdowns heading into Week 15. But now the question remains if he'll be healthy enough to play in Week 16 versus the Titans. If not, Pittman, Downs, and Adonai Mitchell should get most of the looks on the receiving end, with Jonathan Taylor potentially getting a few more targets out of the backfield.
Alec Pierce Looking Like A Boom/Bust Fantasy Play Again In Week 15
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce drew the second-most looks of any Colt receiver in Week 13 with six targets, but was only able to secure two of them for 16 yards. His fantasy day was saved, however, on a last-second touchdown that helped Indy to a late-game come-from-behind win. The 24-year-old was averaging four targets per contest coming into the matchup, but Josh Downs' absence likely aided the small boost in targets. With Downs having a bye week to recover and logging two full practices to close the week, he looks to be on the more favorable side of questionable, so Pierce will likely return to his usual workload. While he's not a good bet to haul in many passes, his targets are usually of the deep variety, as the speedy wideout leads the entire NFL in average depth of target (aDOT) at 21.98 yards, so he's got a good chance to break off a couple of chunk plays, especially with star cornerback Patrick Surtain II focusing on Michael Pittman Jr. and the aforementioned Downs drawing coverage away. The former second-round draft pick sets up as a boom/bust WR5/6 in this matchup.
Alec Pierce Catches Crucial TD Pass In Week 13 Win
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (foot), who had missed two practices earlier in the week, was cleared to suit up and wound up playing a pivotal role in the Colts' 25-24 win over the Patriots on Sunday. While two catches for 16 yards isn't noteworthy, one of those catches was a touchdown reception that came with 12 seconds left in the game that put the Colts in position to win the game on a successful two-point conversion by quarterback Anthony Richardson on the following play. Pierce did receive six targets in the game, which was second-most behind Michael Pittman Jr.'s seven, and was a slight uptick in his usual usage with Josh Downs (shoulder) missing the contest due to injury. When the Colts come out of their bye, expect Pierce's involvement to take a slight step back if Downs returns, although he's always a threat to break off a couple of big chunk plays per game using his speed.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (foot) is officially active for Sunday's Week 13 game against the New England Patriots. Pierce had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction after logging a full practice on Friday. The 24-year-old will take on an expanded role as the Colts' No. 2 wide receiver behind Michael Pittman Jr. given that Josh Downs (shoulder) is inactive. Pierce typically operates as a deep-threat option within Indianapolis' offense, catching eight passes for 194 yards and one touchdown over the last three weeks. He should be viewed as a low-end WR3/FLEX option in fantasy football with Downs sidelined.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (foot) is expected to play in Sunday's Week 13 game against the New England Patriots, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Pierce had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction after logging a full practice on Friday. The 24-year-old is likely headed for an expanded role as the Colts' No. 2 wide receiver behind Michael Pittman Jr. after Josh Downs (shoulder) was already ruled out for this week. Pierce typically operates as a deep-threat option within Indianapolis' offense, catching eight passes for 194 yards and one touchdown over the last three weeks. He should be viewed as a low-end WR3/FLEX option in fantasy football with Downs sidelined.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (foot) is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Patriots. The 24-year-old is dealing with a foot injury and missed practice during the week as a result. However, the team is expected to have him on the field, which is great news, considering Josh Downs (shoulder) won't be available. Without Downs, Pierce will see an increase in fantasy potential, giving him flex value in all fantasy formats.
Alec Pierce
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Colts
