According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (which was later confirmed by head coach Shane Steichen post-game), the x-rays on Indianapolis Colts wideout Alec Pierce’s reinjured ankle/heel were negative last night:
However, further medical evaluation will be undergone on Monday, and given that Pierce was seen leaving Arrowhead Stadium in a boot and using crutches, I’m no doctor, but him missing time here
again seems like a realistic possibility. It’s the same injured ankle/heel that kept him out of all of training camp and preseason.
Pierce left late in the first quarter on a non-contact play and was unable to put weight on his aggravated left ankle/heel, as he limped off to the sideline. He was eventually helped to the medical tent with the help of Colts team trainers before exiting the field entirely along the sidelines on a medical cart.
While he was initially designated as “questionable,” which seemed overly optimistic for any sort of return, he was quickly downgraded to “out” by the Colts medical staff—and obviously, was not available again last night.
Of course, it’s a big blow to the Colts offensively, as Pierce is one of their unit’s most explosive playmakers, and their best downfield threat—especially with their AFC South rival Houston Texans coming to town in Week 3.
The Colts absolutely want to avoid an 0-3 start and make an already increasingly large loss deficit, grow even bigger.
Even though the Texans defense has struggled a bit out of the gates, allowing the 24th most points (28.0 avg. ppg.) through two games in the 2026 campaign, reputationally, they’re still regarded as one of the league’s best.
With Pierce potentially absent, it could mean more looks for rookie Deion Burks downfield situationally, as well as Ashton Dulin (ankle), who’s also mending from an injury which kept him out of action last night.
Without Pierce’s deep speed and vertical separation, the Colts become a lot easier to cover, as none of the group of Keenan Allen, Josh Downs, or Tyler Warren are burners, which also means heavier boxes for Jonathan Taylor.
