Shane Steichen, the Colts’ head coach, spoke about the positive impact of Pierce’s presence, noting that a star player rejoining the field brings considerable energy to the locker room. Pierce, who signed a four-year, $114 million contract extension in March after delivering the best season of his NFL career in 2025, is aiming to be ready for Week 1. That season featured 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns, along with leading the league in yards per reception for the second straight year at 21.3 yards per catch.
Pierce’s ankle problem required surgery after previous attempts at treatment—platelet-rich plasma injections and extended rehabilitation—could not resolve the issue. He described a reluctance to undergo surgery but acknowledged that the initial therapies did not solve the problem after six to eight weeks. The delayed procedure meant Pierce missed the entirety of training camp, making his Thursday return a crucial step toward reintegrating him into the Colts’ offense.
During the Thursday session, Pierce participated in individual drills and indicated that he hopes to join full-team practice next week. He emphasized that wearing a helmet and practicing with other NFL players marked a significant milestone and that some rust will need to be knocked off before he can contribute fully.
Pierce has set Week 1 as his target return. He noted that there is a difference between practicing with trainers during rehabilitation and practicing with the team and quarterbacks on the field. Reconnecting timing with quarterback Daniel Jones and the rest of the Colts’ quarterback group will be an important part of the process, as will the mental challenge of remaining engaged during periods away from activity.
The Colts have two weeks to ramp Pierce back up before Week 1. Steichen indicated a measured approach, praising Pierce’s experience and professionalism and promising careful progression to ensure he’s ready for regular-season action.
In Pierce’s absence, the Colts will rely on a familiar and growing group on offense, including quarterback Daniel Jones, running back Jonathan Taylor, and receivers Josh Downs and newly signed Keenan Allen, with Tyler Warren at tight end. Jones himself is returning from an Achilles injury sustained in December, making Pierce’s reintroduction to the lineup even more significant for the unit as a whole.
With Pierce back on the field, the Colts face two more weeks to determine how much practice and game-ready workload he can handle before their season opener against Baltimore. The organization remains cautiously optimistic, prioritizing a steady ramp-up to ensure a strong contribution when the regular season begins.
