Indianapolis Colts’ wide receiver Alec Pierce has cleared concussion protocol and is no longer on the team’s injury report. So, he will be available for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.
Pierce sustained the concussion in the first half of the Colts’ eventual Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos. The injury kept him out of practice all last week and forced him to miss this past week’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
In this third NFL season, Pierce has emerged as one of the most productive downfield targets in football. Entering Week 17, his 29 targets of 20-plus yards are the third-most among all receivers, along with Pierce ranking seventh in downfield receiving yards.
Overall in 2024, Pierce has caught 29-of-56 passes for 645 yards with five touchdowns. His impressive average of 22.2 yards per reception is the second-best mark in the NFL.
Awaiting the Colts’ offense this week is a Giants defense that ranks 24th in scoring and has given up their share of big passing plays, ranking 29th in yards per pass attempt allowed.
As was the case last week, this should be another run-centric approach from the Colts’ offense, but success on the ground can open up downfield opportunities in the passing game.
The Colts, however, have some unknowns at the quarterback position with Anthony Richardson listed as questionable. If he can’t go, then Joe Flacco will start.