The Indianapolis Colts have gotten a tough break at wide receiver with the injury news to Alec Pierce, as he’s still recovering from an ankle injury.
Who The Colts Have At WR Amid Alec Pierce Injury News
Pierce injured his ankle late in the 2025 season and continued to fight through it. But he did get ankle surgery this offseason in March. Pierce talked to the media about how his injury affected him last season, saying, “It definitely got a little bit worse as the (2025) season went,” Pierce said. “Probably the last month, I’d say I was kind of struggling – (it) affected practice, I’d taken some days off. I’m glad they figured out what the issue was and we were able to fix it.”
Colts head coach Shane Steichen gave an update on Pierce’s recovery timeline, saying that he foresees Pierce returning, “at some point in training camp.”
In 2025, Pierce had 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns despite the injury. With Pierce in the recovery stages, who do the Colts have at wide receiver?
Who Do The Colts Have At Wide Receiver?
Josh Downs:
Josh Downs was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Colts. He did great in his rookie season, totaling 68 catches, which was a franchise rookie record, for 771 yards and two touchdowns. Downs improved in 2024, catching 72 passes for 803 yards and five touchdowns. His 2025 season saw a decrease in a few stats, such as catches and yards, but he did have five touchdowns. Downs is a quick receiver with good route running and the ability to be in the slot. The Colts can get the ball to him in a myriad of ways.
Nick Westbrook Ikhine
Nick Westbrook Ikhine joined the Colts in 2026 via free agency. He spent the 2025 season with the Miami Dolphins, accumulating 11 receptions for 89 yards. In 2024, he was part of the Tennessee Titans, gaining 32 catches for 497 yards and nine touchdowns. Westbrook-Ikhine is normally lined up on the outside and excels at blocking. He adds a veteran presence to a receiving core that’s still a bit early in their careers, outside of a few.
Ashton Dulin
Ashton Dulin was primarily the Colts’ kick returner but did see some time at receiver. In 2025, Dulin had five catches for 106 yards, while running for 516 kick return yards at an average of 32.2 yards per return. Dulin is battling for a spot as the Colts’ wide receiver three this season.
Deion Burkes
Indianapolis drafted Deion Burks out of Oklahoma with the 254th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Burkes is a speedy receiver who ran a 4.3 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine. That speed could work well for the Colts as it would give them another deep threat, such as Pierce. In his last season of college football in 2025 as a Sooner, Burkes had 57 receptions for 620 yards and four touchdowns.
Other Receivers The Colts Have/Potential Additions
The Colts have other wideouts as well, such as Laquon Treadwell, Anthony Gould, Eli Pancol, Coleman Owen, Sahmir Hagans, Raylen Sharpe, and EJ Horton Jr. Treadwell is the more senior of the group, going into his 11th season in the NFL. Indianapolis has also been linked to a few different wide receivers that could go after, such as Deebo Samuel, who was last on the Washington Commanders. And Stefon Diggs, who was on the Patriots last season.
