Colts receiver Alec Pierce got back to practice on Thursday, having come off the physically unable to perform list after undergoing offseason ankle surgery.
Pierce said after the session that he’s on schedule with the season quickly approaching.
“Yeah, Week 1 is the goal,” Pierce said, via transcript from the team. “[J]ust first time being back out here, wearing the helmet, playing with the other NFL players, right? So, it’s — you got to knock a little bit of rust off, but been working in PT, been working kind of off and on with the trainers. They’ve been doing a good job preparing me, getting me ready.
“So, just a little different once you get back out here, get timing from Daniel [Jones] and these other NFL arms.”
Though Pierce noted he’s been ramping up throughout camp, the process of getting back on the field was still a little tough on him, mentally.
“You just got to find ways to try and stay in it because you’re going to be in those meetings and stuff,” Pierce said. “It’s good to be around the guys. They kind of — they keep your spirits up and stuff because sitting and watching film and watching walk-through, watching practice, like it gets a little monotonous. You want to be out there. You want to be out there helping the team, making plays with the team, working with your brothers. But the guys have been great. They’ve been checking in with me. Other than just not being out there on the field, everything’s been the same.”
Head coach Shane Steichen said it was great to have Pierce back on the field and the team is working to get him ready for Week 1. That’s a good sign for Pierce as he continues his process.
Last season, Pierce caught 47 passes for 1,003 yards with six touchdowns. He’s led the league in yards per reception in each of the last two years.