Alec Pierce, the guy who just signed a massive four-year, $114 million deal in March, has missed all 10 training camp practices thanks to offseason ankle surgery, leaving the Colts’ receiving depth looking scary thin as the season opener looms just four weeks away. This isn’t just a minor blip, folks, it’s a full-blown crisis for their wide receiver room right now.
Jones Is Slinging It, But Who’s Catching?
Despite the depth concerns, starting quarterback Daniel Jones was absolutely dealing during Saturday’s indoor practice, which focused heavily on red zone work. Jones showed off his ability to dissect different coverages and deliver strong throws in tight spaces. He caught the defense sitting in Cover 2 and split it perfectly with a dart to tight end Tyler Warren on a wheel route for a sweet 20-yard touchdown. Later, Jones threw a beautiful dime toward the far pylon, and Josh Downs made a leaping grab over cornerback Justin Walley for another 10-yard touchdown. Downs came down hard, had some hamstring tightness, and left the field briefly, but he’s a warrior and came right back for the final team period, snagging a short hitch on his first play back. Jones even rolled out, faked play-action, and hit Laquon Treadwell for a 10-yard touchdown in tight coverage. He finished the session completing 7-of-14 passes, with some smart throwaways rather than forcing a pass, though rookie linebacker Bryce Boettcher did get a hand on one near the goal line, which could’ve been a turnover. Jones also connected with Ashton Dulin in the end zone on his final throw.
The Backup Battle Rages, But The Real Fight Is For Roster Spots
While Jones was doing his thing, the battle for the second-string quarterback spot kept reps split between Anthony Richardson Sr. and Riley Leonard, both completing five passes each during the short practice. Richardson Sr. fired a frozen rope to tight end Will Mallory for a 10-yard touchdown on a comeback route and later hit Raylen Sharpe on a slant and a corner route. Leonard also found the end zone on a short field, connecting with Sharpe on a quick out and rookie Deion Burks on a drag route. It’s great to see these young QBs making plays, but the reality is the wide receiver situation remains super volatile. With Pierce sidelined for every single practice, the depth outside the numbers is just not there.
With the season opener only four weeks out, the Colts gotta figure out this receiver room ASAP. Can someone step up big time, or will Pierce make a miracle return from that ankle surgery? Either way, it’s going to be a nail-biter watching this unfold for the Colts, and they need answers fast if they want any kind of stability heading into Week 1.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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