Following Friday’s practice, Indianapolis Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen ruled out wide receiver Alec Pierce for the team’s Week 16 matchup with Tennessee.
Pierce exited the Colts’ Week 15 matchup against Denver just before halftime and was ruled out a short while later with a concussion. He then entered concussion protocol on Monday and missed the first two practices of the week.
When players are in concussion protocol, they are not eligible to play until fully cleared.
Pierce has emerged this season as one of the game’s most productive downfield targets. His 26 targets of 20-plus yards lead the NFL, while his 428 yards on those passes are the third-most.
Overall, he leads the Colts in receiving with 645 yards and is averaging 22.2 yards per catch, the second-best mark in football. Pierce has also found the end zone five times.
Without Pierce, a larger role for AD Mitchell is likely in store. In the Colts’ Week 10 game against Buffalo, Mitchell had six receptions for 71 yards–both season-highs–as he filled Pierce’s role within the offense as the X receiver while Pierce slid over to fill Michael Pittman’s role with him being sidelined in that game.
Potentially, Ashton Dulin could step into a larger role as well if he’s available. Dulin, however, has missed the last two games with an ankle injury and just returned to practice on Thursday in a limited capacity.
