Ballard: Pierce didn’t get 2nd PRP injection

Pierce is technically on track to play, but his continued practice limitations suggest he is still ramping up. If active on Sunday, he would be a boom-bust FLEX, though having him on the field would be a big boost for his teammates. Pierce’s downfield abilities help keep safeties honest, freeing up the short-to-intermediate field depths.

Pierce is recovering from offseason surgery that caused him to miss the entirety of training camp and the preseason. The lack of reps could leave him a little rusty heading into Week 1, but the good news is that a limited practice today means he should be active versus the Ravens. Pierce will be a high-risk WR4 for the first slate of the season. Josh Downs and Tyler Warren were not on the injury report.

Pierce missed most of training camp while recovering from offseason ankle surgery, but the fifth-year speedster is expected to be on the field when the Colts take on the Ravens in the season opener. ESPN’s Stephen Holder noted that “it’s very possible” some of Pierce’s workload will be split between Keenan Allen and Ashton Dulin as he continues to ramp up after an extended absence, but Pierce will be on the field in some capacity on Sunday. Unfortunately, this makes him a risky bet for fantasy purposes unless Steichen can alleviate any concerns about Pierce being on a pitch count to start the season.

Pierce missed most of training camp while recovering from offseason ankle surgery after signing a huge contract extension with the Colts. Pierce appears on track to suit up for Week 1. Whether Pierce is on some sort of pitch count remains to be seen. Pierce should eventually function as the team’s WR1, operating as more than a strictly downfield threat. He should be seen as a flex play for now.

Pierce said the Colts have been doing a good job of preparing him to play even while sidelined, and with 16 days to go before the Colts host the Ravens in Week 1, it’s not inconceivable that he could be ready in time for the season opener. The Colts will continue to ramp Pierce up in the coming weeks, making his status one to monitor, especially when teams begin releasing official injury reports ahead of game day. If he is able to play, fantasy managers should view Pierce as anything more than a boom/bust WR3 until we see how he looks on the field.

Pierce has been on the PUP list throughout training camp as he recovers from offseason ankle surgery. Head coach Shane Steichen said earlier this week that he expects Pierce to return to practice in the coming days. Pierce was spotted getting some individual work in today. Coming off the PUP list means Pierce shouldn’t miss four games to start the season, but it doesn’t guarantee that he is ready for the season opener. His health will be one of the biggest storylines to monitor for the Colts’ offense over the next two weeks.

Pierce, who’s been sidelined since undergoing ankle surgery in the spring following the signing of his contract extension with the Colts, will practice this week barring any setbacks, Steichen said. It’s good news for Pierce’s Week 1 availability after the team’s de facto WR1 missed training camp while recovering from the ankle issue. Pierce is expected to see more intermediate targets this season after operating strictly as a field stretcher over the past few seasons. Pierce in 2025 led the league in air yards per game; his 44 percent air yards share ranked fourth among receivers. Pierce profiles as a somewhat sneaky fantasy selection after his ADP has steadily sunk over the past month.

According to The Athletic’s James Boyd, this means Pierce will miss the entirety of the Colts’ training camp program. Tough break. Pierce has roughly one month to resume practicing and ramp up enough to play in Week 1 against the Ravens. He was supposed to be diversifying his route tree in order to take on a larger offensive role. Instead, he is stuck rehabbing during preseason play. Pierce is a very risky pick in fantasy right now.

Pierce remains well behind schedule following offseason surgery on his ankle, with it now coming to light that the veteran receiver required a second PRP injection in his left ankle. Now well beyond the original recovery window following the late-March surgery, Pierce appears to be in legitimate danger of missing time when games start to count if the platelet-rich plasma injections do not speed up his recovery for the second time. Pierce signed a four-year, $114 million contract extension with the Colts this offseason after the team lost Michael Pittman in a trade to the Steelers, signifying an intent to move forward with Pierce as their primary option at the position. That move could prove costly if Pierce misses regular season time. Josh Downs and Tyler Warren would be in line to benefit the most from any absence from Pierce.

“No, not right now,” was Steichen’s response when asked if there was a timeline. “His rehab’s going great, I’ll say that. ... I don’t have the timetable on his return, but he’s doing a hell of a job in his rehab process.” “No timeline” might be a bit disingenuous, but probably no more so than when GM Chris Ballard said nine days ago Pierce was a “week or two” from returning. The Colts’ brain trust is being intentionally vague, but we still haven’t seen anything to suggest Week 1 is off the table. On the other hand, we’ve seen nothing to suggest it is assured. Pierce’s status is genuinely up in the air, making him a high-risk WR3 in August fantasy drafts.