Why Colts WR Alec Pierce is having offseason ankle surgery

INDIANAPOLIS – Alec Pierce labored through lingering ankle pain during his career-best receiving season a year ago – one that earned him a four-year deal this offseason worth as much as $114 million. Once the ink was dry in mid-March, Colts general manager Chris Ballard gave his new No. 1 receiver his blessing to fully heal – even if it might mean a multi-month recovery process.

Though Pierce initially told Ballard he could continue maintenance work with his injured ankle through 2026, too, both sides eventually came to the collective decision, following multiple medical opinions, that Pierce would have “clean-up” work done on that ankle, Ballard told reporters Monday.

The procedure will sideline the 25-year-old for three months, eliminating him from this week’s kickoff to Indianapolis’ offseason workout program this week, Ballard said.

Jan 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) catches a touchdown pass against the Houston Texans during the first half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

“(Alec) dealt with (the injury) for a lot of the season. He kept dealing with some pain in his ankle, and then after the season, we talked about, ‘Is it good enough? Can we get through it another year?’” Ballard said Monday of his star receiver. “And right before, and then after we signed him, I asked him, and (Alec) said, ‘Ahh, I can play through it again.’

“But I knew he was hurting at times last year, so finally after consulting with multiple doctors and him, he had a clean-up done.”

Ballard said the Colts don’t expect any “long-term limitations” following the procedure.