Alec Pierce: Contract, Injury, Playing Status, College and 40 Time

Alec Pierce has become one of the Indianapolis Colts’ most important wide receivers after a breakout 2025 season. The 6-foot-3 receiver entered the 2026 season with a new long-term contract and high expectations, but his latest game ended early because of a heel injury.

Pierce has also attracted attention because of his speed, size and big-play ability. Before entering the NFL, he played college football at Cincinnati and established himself as an intriguing deep threat. His athletic testing, including a reported 4.41-second 40-yard dash, helped make him an attractive prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Here is everything to know about Alec Pierce’s contract, injury status, playing situation, college career and 40 time.

Alec Pierce Contract

Alec Pierce signed a four-year, $114 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts in 2026, according to Over The Cap. The deal has an average annual value of $28.5 million. The contract includes $60 million fully guaranteed at signing, while total guarantees are listed at $84 million.

The agreement represents a major increase from Pierce’s rookie contract. Indianapolis originally selected him with the 53rd overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

His new contract came after a breakthrough 2025 season. Pierce recorded 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games. He averaged 21.3 yards per reception and finished the season among the NFL’s most productive big-play receivers.

The new contract keeps Pierce in Indianapolis as a major part of the Colts’ offense.

Is Alec Pierce Injured?

Yes. Alec Pierce is currently dealing with a left heel injury.

Pierce suffered the injury during the Colts’ Week 3 game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 20, 2026. He was hurt while running a route and was unable to put weight on the leg afterward.

He was taken to the medical tent before being carted to the locker room. The Colts subsequently ruled him out for the remainder of the game. Reuters reported that Pierce was seen after the game wearing a boot and using crutches. Further testing was scheduled to determine the extent of the injury.

Initial X-rays were reported as negative, but that does not necessarily provide a complete diagnosis. Additional evaluation is important because Pierce had already undergone offseason ankle surgery on the same foot.

What Happened to Alec Pierce?

Pierce’s latest injury occurred against Kansas City in the first quarter.

He caught one pass for 11 yards before leaving the game. The injury came after he was running a route, and he subsequently struggled to bear weight on the affected leg.

The situation is particularly notable because Pierce spent part of the 2026 offseason recovering from an ankle problem. He had surgery after an earlier treatment did not fully resolve the issue.

The Colts had expected him to return for training camp, and he ultimately returned to action before the regular season.

Is Alec Pierce Playing?

As of the latest update, Alec Pierce is not playing in the remainder of the Colts-Chiefs game because he was ruled out with the heel injury.

Before that injury, Pierce had already played in the 2026 regular season. The Colts’ official statistics list him with four receptions for 61 yards in the season-opening game against Baltimore.

His availability for Indianapolis’ next game will depend on the results of further medical testing and his recovery.

The Colts will likely provide additional updates as the week progresses.

Is Alec Pierce Hurt?

Yes. Pierce is hurt and was ruled out against Kansas City because of a left heel injury.

The injury should not automatically be described as season-ending. At the latest reporting point, the full severity had not yet been established.

That distinction is important. A player being ruled out of one game does not necessarily mean he will miss multiple weeks. Indianapolis will need further examination before determining Pierce’s timetable.

Alec Pierce’s Previous Ankle Injury

Pierce dealt with an ankle problem during the 2025 season.

According to the Colts, the issue had been bothering him for an extended period and became more difficult as the season progressed. He initially received a platelet-rich plasma treatment, but it did not resolve the problem.

Pierce and the Colts eventually decided that surgery was necessary. He underwent a cleanup procedure in March 2026 and missed the team’s offseason on-field work while recovering.

Despite playing through the issue during the previous season, Pierce produced the first 1,000-yard receiving campaign of his career.

Alec Pierce College

Alec Pierce played college football at the University of Cincinnati.

He became an important receiver for the Bearcats and was part of a program that reached the College Football Playoff during his college career.

Pierce also focused heavily on academics. The University of Cincinnati reported that he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in December 2021. He completed the program in three and a half years while also playing football.

His combination of size, athleticism and academic performance helped make his college career distinctive.

Cincinnati ultimately helped prepare Pierce for the NFL, where he became a second-round draft selection.

When Was Alec Pierce Drafted?

The Indianapolis Colts selected Alec Pierce in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 53rd overall pick.

The Colts were attracted to his size and downfield speed. His ability to stretch defenses became one of his defining traits during his first several NFL seasons.

Pierce immediately became part of Indianapolis’ wide receiver rotation and gradually developed into a significant offensive weapon.

Alec Pierce 40 Time

Alec Pierce’s reported 40-yard dash time is 4.41 seconds.

His 4.41 time demonstrates the straight-line speed that has become an important part of his NFL profile. A receiver standing 6-foot-3 and weighing more than 200 pounds while running in the low 4.4-second range presents a difficult matchup for defensive backs.

His athletic testing also included a 40.5-inch vertical jump and a 129-inch broad jump, according to a 2022 draft scouting report.

Those numbers help explain why Pierce was viewed as a dangerous vertical threat coming out of Cincinnati.

How Tall Is Alec Pierce?

Alec Pierce is listed at 6 feet 3 inches tall and around 211 pounds by the Indianapolis Colts.

His size gives him an advantage when competing for contested catches, while his speed allows him to attack defenses vertically.

That combination has been central to his role with Indianapolis.

Alec Pierce NFL Stats

Pierce has developed into one of the NFL’s most explosive receivers.

According to the Colts’ official statistics, his career totals through the 2025 season included:

• 161 receptions
• 2,995 receiving yards
• 17 receiving touchdowns
• 18.6 yards per reception
• 65 games played

His 2025 campaign was his biggest season statistically. He recorded 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games.

Pierce also led the NFL in yards per reception in both 2024 and 2025, according to the Colts.

Alec Pierce 2025 Breakout Season

The 2025 season was a major turning point in Pierce’s career.

He passed 1,000 receiving yards for the first time and averaged more than 21 yards per catch. His ability to make explosive plays made him an increasingly important part of the Indianapolis offense.

That production ultimately played a major role in the Colts giving him his massive contract extension in 2026.

His new deal reflects the team’s investment in his role as a primary receiving threat.

Alec Pierce Career Path

Pierce grew up in Illinois and played multiple sports before focusing more heavily on football.

He attended Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where he competed in football and other sports. Cincinnati eventually recruited him, giving him the opportunity to continue both his athletic and academic goals.

After developing at Cincinnati, Pierce entered the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Colts selected him in Round 2, and he has remained with Indianapolis throughout his NFL career.

Alec Pierce 2026 Status

Pierce’s 2026 season has now become a major storyline because of his latest heel injury.

He entered the season with a new four-year contract after producing a career-best 1,003 receiving yards in 2025. He also returned from offseason ankle surgery and was expected to remain an important part of the Colts offense.

However, his latest left heel injury forced him out of the Kansas City game.

At the latest update, the Colts had not announced a long-term timetable for his return. Further medical evaluation is needed before his status for upcoming games can be determined.

Alec Pierce: Quick Facts

Final Word

Alec Pierce has established himself as a big-play receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. His size and reported 4.41-second 40-yard dash have helped make him a dangerous deep threat, while his 2025 breakout season earned him a four-year, $114 million contract.

Pierce’s immediate story, however, is his health. He suffered a left heel injury against Kansas City on Sept. 20, 2026, and was ruled out of the game. Because the full diagnosis and recovery timetable were still pending at the latest update, his availability for upcoming Colts games remains something to monitor.

FAQs

Is Alec Pierce injured?
Yes. Pierce suffered a left heel injury against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 20, 2026, and was ruled out of the game.

Is Alec Pierce playing?
He was ruled out for the remainder of the Chiefs game after suffering the heel injury. His status for future games depends on further medical evaluation.

What is Alec Pierce’s contract?
Pierce signed a four-year, $114 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts in 2026, including $60 million fully guaranteed at signing.

Where did Alec Pierce go to college?
Pierce played college football at the University of Cincinnati and earned a mechanical engineering degree.

What is Alec Pierce’s 40-yard dash time?
His reported 40-yard dash time is 4.41 seconds.

How tall is Alec Pierce?
Pierce is listed at 6-foot-3 by the Indianapolis Colts.