According to head coach Shane Steichen, while he was seen in the press box of Sunday’s win on a scooter and with a heavy cast on his reinjured left heel, nothing has changed about Indianapolis Colts wideout Alec Pierce’s currently planned recovery method (via FOX59/CBS4’s Mike Chappell):
Instead, the plan is still for rest, rehab and time to heal Pierce’s re-injured heel, which he suffered late in the first quarter in Sunday’s Week 2 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs.
No surgery is planned at this time, although that could certainly change if Pierce’s heel doesn’t respond well to the first planned course of action during the appropriate recovery timeline. However, there is no need to think further at this time.
Having been placed on injured reserve over the weekend, Pierce will also miss at least the next three Colts games, although early reports have the Colts very much hoping for a near-midseason return for Pierce—meaning he could miss at least the team’s next five games as a closer.
In the first two starts, and with the turnover, Pierce had just 5 receptions for 72 total receiving yards, but as the Colts’ undisputed deep threat, they’ve felt his absence in other ways:
Having the extensive return of Ashton Dulin (ankle), who “progressed” from his own injury, could help offset at least some of Pierce’s loss, though no individual player on the Colts’ current roster can fully replace him outright—as he’s one of the best in the business regarding his elite deep threat skill-set.