The Indianapolis Colts are facing a bit of a crisis at the wide receiver position. Michael Pittman Jr. was traded this offseason. He didn’t seem to have his best stuff anymore, but that one still hurt. Alec Pierce was tabbed to be the next man to take over the reins as the number one receiver. Since cashing his check, we have hardly seen him on the field. The Colts are feeling the effects.
Statistically, Daniel Jones had his worst quarter and a half against the Commanders. There was pressure, but
his attempts were the shortest in the league at 3.8 per play. Going 19/34 for only 143 yards and multiple turnovers proves Jones is struggling. Josh Downs is the twitchy man the Colts need underneath, but no one can take the top off the defense. Laquon Treadwell has been the Colts’ best downfield threat. No offense to Treadwell, but he isn’t going to cut it.
Pierce was the deep threat. Last year, he added more routes and became more of a well-rounded receiver. That made his deep threat even more lethal. Jones averaged over 8 yards per attempt last year with Pierce in the fold. Not only would Pierce provide an option for a deep shot, he also opened the rest of the field by taking defenders with him away from the line of scrimmage. His presence on the outside changes everything. Another heel injury is crippling the Colts.
Alec Pierce may or may not be a true number one, but his importance to the Colts is real. Occupying a corner and safety deep while providing an option to pick up huge yards in a hurry is something the Colts can’t replicate without him. He was supposed to be the guy. Missing time this year doesn’t mean he can’t be going forward, but being without him means the offense, Daniel Jones very much included, is going to feel the effects.
