GM disputes Pierce reports: WR 'in good shape'

Alec Pierce remains sidelined after offseason left ankle surgery, and Indianapolis Colts still are not placing a firm timeline on the wide receiver's return, general manager Chris Ballard said Tuesday. Ballard's update came after multiple reports on Monday, including from ESPN, cited sources that indicated Pierce had a recent platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection that is intended to speed up healing. But Ballard said the reports are not accurate, specifying that Pierce only underwent PRP treatment in January, as previously disclosed. Ballard had previously indicated two weeks ago that Pierce might need another week to two weeks, which does not appear to be panning out. But there is no cause for alarm, according to Ballard. "It's been like any rehab," Ballard said. "There's ups and downs. There's a new normal that they have to get used to. But there's no setback. He's in good shape. He's making great progress. Every player comes back differently, and we feel good about where he's at." The Colts re-signed Pierce in March to a four-year, $114 million extension to be their featured receiver after the offseason trade of Michael Pittman Jr. But ankle and heel issue has blunted excitement for Pierce's 2026 season. After the original PRP treatment did not have the desired effect, Pierce and the Colts collectively decided surgery was the best option to prevent him from playing through the consistent soreness he experienced last season. "I was kind of struggling [last season]," Pierce said in June. Asked whether Pierce would return in time for the regular season, Ballard said: "That's the expectation. It's kind of day to day." Elsewhere, Ballard said starting cornerback Charvarius Ward remained in Indianapolis during the team's joint practice and preseason game this week with the New England Patriots because of back soreness.