Tag: Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts third-year wide receiver Alec Pierce was held out of all three minicamp practices this week for precautionary reasons after his foot was stepped on, said Shane Steichen.

Pierce is entering a crucial offseason and training camp for him. While during his first two years he’s provided some big play-ability, averaging over 16.0 yards per catch in 2023, the playmaking hasn’t been consistent enough.

“I’d say they were definitely different than any type of football I’ve played before,” said Pierce about his first two seasons. “That rookie year, went through a lot of adversity with the team. Stuff I was kind of not used to going through.

“And then, last year was a big change having a new coach and stuff like that, but it was great to get some wins. I’ve just got to work on myself and be more consistent.”

Now, with the addition of Adonai Mitchell, Pierce’s role as the vertical presence in the Colts offense, and as the starting boundary receiver opposite Michael Pittman Jr., is in jeopardy.

One of Pierce’s goals this season is to showcase his versatility and earn more opportunities to run a greater variety of routes and to impact the game at different levels of the field.

As potentially the fourth wide receiver on the team, Pierce’s ability to show that he is more than just a downfield target will be an important factor when it comes to determining playing time.

“For sure, I think there’s a lot more to my game, Pierce said. “I just want to have the chance to showcase that, and I’m just working every day in practice to earn those reps and show what I can do.”

Without Pierce or Pittman on the field for minicamp, from the sounds of it, Josh Downs was a go-to target in the passing game, while Mitchell continued to flash his playmaking potential.

Alec Pierce is heading into his third NFL season with the Indianapolis Colts and wants the opportunity to showcase more of his versatility as a wide receiver.

“Definitely more versatility,” said Pierce on what he wants this season. “I want to be able to do more things, run more routes, get open on different types of routes.”

Oftentimes, a player can be put into a specific bucket based upon their skill set or how they’re utilized within the offense. For Pierce, he is labeled a vertical threat.

Last season, Pierce’s average depth of target was 15.7 yards, the seventh-most among receivers. On top of that, 30 percent of his targets came 20-plus yards downfield, which was the 14th-highest rate in 2023, according to PFF.

“For sure, I think there’s a lot more to my game, Pierce said. “I just want to have the chance to showcase that and I’m just working every day in practice to earn those reps and show what I can do.”

Pierce was a second-round pick by the Colts in 2022. During his first two seasons, he hasn’t quite gained the traction that he or the Colts were hoping for.

Although Pierce has averaged over 15 yards per catch in his career, he’s caught just 52 percent of his targets. Now, naturally, when targeted downfield frequently, a receiver isn’t going to be as efficient, however, the Colts needed more consistency and playmaking from him.

“I’d say they were definitely different than any type of football I’ve played before,” said Pierce about his first two seasons. “That rookie year, went through a lot of adversity with the team. Stuff I was kind of not used to going through.

“And then, last year was a big change having a new coach and stuff like that, but it was great to get some wins. I’ve just got to work on myself and be more consistent.”

After the Colts ranked 24th in explosive pass plays generated last season, GM Chris Ballard made it clear from the start of the offseason that adding more playmaking around Anthony Richardson was a must. This element will also help open up opportunities for other pass-catchers.

The Colts fulfilled that need by selecting Adonai Mitchell in the second round of the NFL draft, which immediately put in jeopardy Pierce’s role on the team as both the deep threat and as the boundary receiver opposite of Michael Pittman.

With 4.34 speed, Mitchell brings an excellent vertical presence in his own right to the offense, along with an ability as a route runner that will allow him to impact the game at each level of the field. Realistically, if Pierce isn’t able to leave his mark on the Colts’ offense in other ways, his role could be significantly reduced this season. As the old saying goes, ‘the more you can do, the better.’

“Just work every day,” said Pierce on working with Mitchell. “You know, learn from each other. Learn from the other receivers, and just try to become better players–all of us. High tides raise all ships. You’re going to get better from your competition and competitive spirit. That’s what you’ve got to work on.”

At the end of the day, these opportunities for Pierce, whether they come downfield or the coaching staff asks him to work other parts of the field, are going to have to be earned and done so consistently. That’s a process that’s already started during OTAs.

“I think it’s my job to go into camp and prove that,” said Pierce. So I’ve just got to let my work on the field speak for itself.

“I’ve got to show in practice and they’ve (the coaches) got to trust me and allow me to get those reps too.”

Prior to the Indianapolis Colts’ first minicamp practice on Tuesday, wide receiver Alec Pierce met with reporters.

Here are the highlights from that conversation. To see the full interview, click here.

– Pierce on WR coach Reggie Wayne: “That’s definitely what you want to hear. You want someone to tell you what you’re doing right, what you’re doing wrong because that’s the only way you’re going to get better, hearing ‘okay, this needs to be worked on.’ We definitely all enjoy it, we all appreciate it.”

– Pierce says that he put on about five pounds over the offseason. Last year, Pierce was listed at 211. Pierce says that he put on the weight after talking with Wayne and the front office, wanting to improve his play strength.

– Pierce says it’s been good to be on the practice field and getting those reps with Anthony Richardson. He adds that he wouldn’t have even known that Richardson had surgery with how he’s throwing the ball. “It’s been good to be out here.”

– “I’m super looking forward to it,” said Pierce about minicamp and the upcoming season. “It’s going to be awesome. I’m really excited about the team. I think we’ve got something special.” Pierce also mentions the continuity that they have as well, allowing them to build off of what they did last year.

– Pierce on his first two seasons: “They were definitely different than any type of football I’ve played before.” Pierce says he went through a lot of adversity during his rookie year, and then last year, there were changes with the coaching staff, but it was great to get some wins. “I’ve just got to be more consistent.”

– Pierce on competing with AD Mitchell: “Just work every day. You know, learn from each other. Learn from the other receivers, and just try to become better players–all of us.”

– “It’s my job to go into camp and prove that,” said Pierce on showing that he can be WR3 and the team’s deep threat. “I’ve got to let my work on the field speak for itself.”

– Pierce on Mitchell’s game: “He’s a really explosive player. Really talented young player. He’s definitely a guy that can win one-on-one matchups and make plays down the field.”

– Pierce was asked if he can be more than a deep threat: “For sure, I think there’s a lot more to my game. I just want to have the chance to showcase that and I’m just working every day in practice to earn those reps and show what I can do.”

– Pierce wants to showcase more versatility this season by being asked to do more things, run more routes, and that he can win in different ways. Accomplishing this begins with Pierce showing in practice that he can do those different things and then the coaching staff trusting him to do so in games.

– Pierce on Michael Pittman: “He’s a tremendous leader. He’s definitely the guy we all look up to in the room. He kind of sets the tone. Leads all of us. So he’s been doing a phenomenal job even while not practicing. Being out there just leading the room, making sure everyone is locked in, doing the right thing.”