Colts plan to put Alec Pierce on IR as Darius Slayton joins receiving corps

Colts coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday that Indianapolis plans to place receiver Alec Pierce on injured reserve because of the left heel injury he sustained against Kansas City. The club signed Darius Slayton on Tuesday, giving quarterback Daniel Jones a familiar downfield target as the offense prepares for Sunday's home game against Houston.

The distinction in roster status matters. Slayton's signing appears on the Colts' transaction log dated Sept. 22. As of late Wednesday, that log did not list a corresponding injured-reserve transaction for Pierce. Steichen described the team's plan, and a formal filing remains the next roster step. Once placed on injured reserve, Pierce would miss at least four games. The Colts have not announced a firm return date.

Pierce left the Colts' 33-30 overtime loss to the Chiefs on Sunday after aggravating the heel. He had undergone offseason surgery on his left ankle and heel, then returned from the physically unable to perform list in August. In two regular-season games this year he has five catches for 72 yards. Associated Press reporting from Steichen's Wednesday availability said the team remains hopeful he can recover without another operation, but the club has not set a timetable.

Slayton gives Indianapolis experience and speed, though his addition does not settle who will receive Pierce's targets. The former Giant caught 296 passes for 4,435 yards and 22 touchdowns across seven seasons in New York. He played 64 games alongside Jones, with 200 catches for 2,904 yards and 12 scores in those games, according to the Colts' signing announcement. Last season Slayton had 37 receptions for 538 yards in 14 games.

On Wednesday, Slayton said he was learning the Colts' offense and working with receivers coach Reggie Wayne. He described his prior connection with Jones as helpful, while acknowledging that he has only days before the Texans matchup. Steichen said the team hopes Slayton can provide vertical speed. Whether that translates into an immediate game role or a specific share of the passing game will depend on the week's preparation and later roster decisions.

For now the confirmed sequence is straightforward: Slayton is signed; Steichen says Pierce is headed to injured reserve; the official Pierce transaction and any return timeline are still pending.