Overview
- Colts coach Shane Steichen said Tuesday that Alec Pierce is expected to return to practice this week if his rehabilitation from offseason ankle/heel surgery continues as planned.
- Pierce remains on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list, which lets him take team part in activities but not practice until he is removed from PUP.
- Team and media reports caution that getting into practice would improve Pierce’s chance of playing in Week 1 but would not guarantee he receives a full game workload.
- The Colts also cleared cornerback Charvarius Ward and running back DJ Giddens to resume practice while handling tight ends Tyler Warren and Will Mallory conservatively to protect Week 1 availability.
- Pierce’s readiness carries outsized roster consequences because he signed a multi‑year, high‑guarantee extension and the team traded Michael Pittman Jr., and final determinations will hinge on the preseason finale on Aug. 29 and the coming 53‑man cuts.