Alec Pierce News

Pierce finished his rookie season with 41 receptions for 593 yards and two touchdowns. After failing to make a reception on two targets in his first game, he clicked with Matt Ryan and had 24 receptions for 373 yards and a touchdown in his next six games. He then had just 17 receptions for 220 yards and a touchdown in his last nine games. Pierce showed promise but could never move into the No. 2 role and had just three red zone targets despite his 6-3 height. Of course, it's hard to judge Pierce given Indy's troubles at quarterback (which really fell off in the second half) and poor offensive play. It's not clear if Pierce is considered a cornerstone of the Indy receiving corps as the team revamps the offense for 2023.

After a stretch where he had just eight receptions in six games, Pierce has had three receptions in each of the last two games. While that's not much production, at least he's showing some signs of relevance ahead of next season.

Pierce finished fourth on the team in targets, and the highlight of his performance came on a 15-yard reception midway through the second quarter-- tied for the third-longest passing playing of the game by the Colts. Pierce has at least three catches in three of his last five games, though he's been held under 30 yards four times in that span. Given the quality of quarterback play for Indianapolis, Pierce isn't likely to have big performances to close out the season.

Pierce tied Parris Campbell for second on the team in targets, but Michael Pittman (14 targets) was the only Colts pass catcher to see significant volume in a game Indianapolis led 33-0 at the half before the Vikings mounted a historic comeback. As one would expect from a rookie second-round pick, Pierce has had his ups and downs in 2022. He's been blanked in three of his last five games but stepped up with a career-high 86 yards and his second career touchdown in Week 14. Pierce and the Colts will take on the Chargers in Week 16.

Matt Ryan connected with Pierce for a touchdown to bring the score to 21-19, but that's as close as the Colts would come to victory before the wheels fell off the wagon in the fourth quarter. The rookie slot man set a new high in receiving yards (86) while scoring his second touchdown of the season. Pierce posted a bagel against the Steelers last week, so while this stat line was encouraging, it shouldn't cause a huge spike in his rostered percentage as Indianapolis enters its bye. The Colts will resume play against the Vikings on Dec. 18.

Pierce has disappeared in the Indy offense after a promising first half of the season. He has just four receptions and 14 targets in his last four games, including two games with no receptions. With Jelani Woods having a big game (eight catches) and Parris Campbell improving after a terrible first half of the season, Pierce's role in the passing game may continue to suffer even if this is a short-term slump.