Alec Pierce Headed to IR, Set to Miss at Least Four Weeks
The Colts' deep threat is out for Week 3 and beyond, opening the door for Josh Downs to carry the passing game solo.
Now the Colts' clear top target with Pierce shelved a month.
- Pierce ruled out Week 3, headed to Reserve/Injured
- Will miss at least four weeks
- Pierce: 1,003 yds, 6 TD in 2025 (183 PPR pts)
- Downs: 58 rec, 566 yds, 4 TD in 2025 (138 PPR pts)
- Downs now the Colts' lone startable WR
Alec Pierce is out for Week 3, and this one isn't a game-time decision you sweat over on Sunday morning. The Colts are placing their downfield weapon on the Reserve/Injured list, which locks him out for a minimum of four weeks. So if you were hoping to plug him in and pray for a deep ball, put that lineup slot to work elsewhere.
The math on Pierce's production makes the absence sting. He posted 47 catches for 1,003 yards and 6 touchdowns across 15 games in 2025, good for 183 PPR points and a spot at WR26 in our rankings (#78 overall). He was even trending up before the injury — his last five games ran 1.7 fantasy points above his season average. That's a real chunk of volume the Indianapolis offense now has to redistribute.
Where the Targets Go
The obvious beneficiary is Josh Downs, who steps into the role of Indianapolis' primary receiver for as long as Pierce is sidelined. Downs finished 2025 with 58 catches, 566 yards and 4 touchdowns for 138 PPR points, landing at WR42 (#123 overall) in our rankings. He's a different profile than Pierce — more underneath and over the middle than vertical — but with the other option on IR, he's the one guy on this receiving corps you can trust to see consistent looks.
That's the key line here: Downs is the only Colts wideout who should be treated as a startable fantasy option right now. The target share that was split is about to concentrate, and slot-heavy receivers who suddenly own the No. 1 role tend to pay off in PPR formats.
The Fantasy Move
Drop or stash Pierce depending on your bench depth — if you're in a shallow league, he's droppable given the four-week floor. If you've got an IR slot, park him there and reassess when Indianapolis clears him. More importantly, go grab Josh Downs if he's somehow still available in your league. He's the rare handcuff-turned-featured-target, and the next month is his to run with.
