Team news: Indianapolis Colts | Page 1

Colts General Manager Chris Ballard said on Tuesday that receiver Alec Pierce did not, in fact, have a second platelet-rich plasma injection to speed up the healing of his ankle, according to multiple reporters.

Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star, who reported the injection took place, noted on Tuesday morning that his source had misspoken, according to the updated story.

“I just want to clear up the confusion on Alec and give you all the timeline,” Ballard said, via James Boyd of TheAthletic.com. “So, Alec had PRP at the end [of the season] in January, trying to clear up some of the soreness, which is normal.”

The updated story said the plan is still for Pierce to be ready for the start of the season.

Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star reports that Pierce underwent a second PRP injection since then to help with lingering soreness and speed up healing. The injection was not due to a setback in his rehab, Brown adds.

Related players: Josh Downs, Tyler Warren, Ashton Dulin, Deion Burks

Pierce has not seen the practice field in 2026. The story reminded us that Pierce underwent what the Colts originally called a “clean-up” surgery on his left ankle in late March. Pierce had hoped to avoid surgery by taking a platelet-rich plasma injection after the 2025 season. He was given a 4-6-month recovery timeline, putting the start of the season in doubt, the story added. The team has not given a timeline, and it's unclear if the second injection could set him back. But, it doesn't seem like good news. If Pierce has to miss time, Warren and Downs could benefit the most in terms of targets and workload.

Colts WR Josh Downs missed practice Saturday with a groin injury.

The Colts are already dealing with an ankle injury to Alec Pierce, who is on the PUP list. We’ll find out more about Downs’ groin injury and if he’ll miss any time as a result, whether it’s a short-term injury or if he’ll miss a couple of weeks before the season starts.

Another big running back deal: three-time Pro-Bowl RB Jonathan Taylor and the Colts reached agreement today on a two-year, $44 million extension worth up to $47 million that includes $39 million guaranteed, per @rapsheet and me.

Related Players: DJ Gidden, Seth McGowan

Taylor remains one of the safest workhorse backs in fantasy and a firm top-five selection. The long-term commitment also provides some additional Dynasty security, though his age and enormous career workload still need to be considered beyond 2026.

But as the Colts move away from 11 personnel in favor of more multi-tight-end sets, there will be opportunity to line up Josh Downs on the outside. To this point in his career, he has been as traditional a slot receiver as they come -- notable, as that prototype has fallen out of favor on modern offenses. Downs ran 74% of his routes from the slot last season, second only to DeMario Douglas; in Downs' career, that number is 76.5%, behind only Tyler Boyd and Hunter Renfrow.

Ben Solak believes we'll see Downs' time in the slot drop this season. He added Downs is an elite route runner, and getting him on more downfield breaking routes might be the solution as Alec Pierce ramps up to speed. Downs is ranked 39th on our WR list.

The Colts traded away wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers back in March, and Tyler Warren says his absence will allow him to have an expanded role this year.

“Not having Pitt here is a big deal just because he was such a big part of our offense and a great player,” Warren said. “It opens opportunities for a lot of guys across the offense, so I think being able to be more diverse and maybe run some different routes this year that Pitt would have been running will be good for everybody here to spread the ball around more.”

Warren and QB Daniel Jones were able to work out together this offseason. Warren’s 817 receiving yards were the fifth most yards by a tight end last season, and his 474 yards after catch ranked second-highest among NFL tight ends, the story said.

The Colts placed linebacker CJ Allen and wide receiver Alec Pierce on the active/physically unable to perform list.

Players on the list can return as soon as they pass a physical before the Aug. 30 roster cut-down. As the story went on to say, Pierce continues rehab after left ankle surgery in March. The surgery was needed to fix a problem he’s had since 2024 after a platelet-rich plasma treatment in January didn’t work as hoped. Pierce was expected to need 4-6 months post-surgery, which will keep him sidelined into training camp. Pierce, who re-signed with the Colts on a four-year, $114 million deal, set career highs with 47 receptions and 1,003 yards last season. He also had six touchdowns.

"I'm feeling really good and I'm gonna be full go to start training camp. I'm ready to go," said Daniel Jones today on the Pat McAfee show.

Jones tore his Achilles in Week 14 but has battled back to be a full participant when camp starts. Jones threw for 19 TDs, over 3,000 yards and added five rushing touchdowns before the injury took him out for the rest of the season. Jones was a very pleasant surprise for fantasy owners last year and he'll look to continue his revived career in 2026 after signing a two-year deal in the offseason with the Colts.

Colts Shane Steichen: Team opening 21-day practice window for Anthony Richardson Sr. this week.

Related Players: Philip Rivers, Riley Leonard

This opens the possibility that we could see Richardson, potentially in Week 18. If/when the Colts are eliminated from the playoffs, we could assume that Rivers will no longer be taking snaps, and if Richardson logs a full game (however unlikely), he would be an interesting DFS option in the final week of the regular season.

Colts HC Shane Steichen told reporters that Philip Rivers will start again next Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers.

Related players: Anthony Richardson, Riley Leonard

We reported earlier today Richardson has been cleared to practice, but the team hasn't opened his 21-day window. But even if they do, the team will roll with Rivers in Week 16.