Alec Pierce sat out practice Thursday, which might normally have fans hitting the panic button, but the buzz around the receiver for this week’s clash against Kansas City is actually all about *more* time on the field. Pierce himself indicated earlier in the day that he fully expects his workload to jump significantly, a bold claim after missing a practice session.
The Big Jump: From Tempered Expectations to Full Throttle
Last week’s season opener saw Pierce play just 32 snaps, where he grabbed four passes for 61 yards on six targets. For a guy who typically dominates 85% to 90% of the team’s offensive snaps when he is healthy, that 59% share was a noticeable drop. Pierce even admitted they “went into last week, I think it was throwing me into the fire a little bit, to kind of see what I can do.” He added that the team “had tempered expectations,” keeping him out of “all the packages, stuff like that.” But now? The plan for Kansas City is clear. Pierce stated, “This week, the goal is to keep building off of that.” After being a full participant in practice Wednesday, his Thursday absence from the portion open to the media feels less like a step back and more like a carefully managed ramp-up.
The Comeback Story That’s Still Unfolding
Just getting on the field for the season opener was a milestone for Pierce, especially considering what he has been through. Back in late March, he underwent surgery to repair a bone issue that had been causing him problems. The initial recovery timeline was a hefty four to six months. He was so keen to get back that he even tried a platelet-rich plasma injection in his ankle to speed things along. Knowing that backstory makes his limited snaps in the opener, and the “tempered expectations” he mentioned, make a lot more sense. He was easing his way back, seeing what he could do after a serious rehab. Now, with the Kansas City game on the horizon, it feels like that cautious approach is about to shift into high gear.
Everyone will be watching this week to see if Pierce delivers on his promise of an increased workload against Kansas City. It is a huge test for his recovery and a chance to show what he can really do when the reins are off.
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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