Colts expect Alec Pierce back this week as Charvarius Ward returns to practice
Indianapolis received encouraging injury updates on two key starters, with the receiver trending toward a return to practice and the veteran cornerback back on the field Monday.
Two of the Colts' most important absences are easing at the same time. Indianapolis expects wide receiver Alec Pierce to return to practice this week, and cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. was back on the field Monday after more than two weeks out.
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet): Pretty good news…
Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen): Good news: Colts WR Alec Pierce (ankle) is expected to return to practice this week if all goes to plan, according to coach Shane Steichen. Relatedly, cornerback Charvarius Ward (back) will practice today.
Pierce has been nursing an ankle and heel injury, and he did not practice Monday. Coach Shane Steichen still sounded optimistic afterward, saying the receiver is "a really good spot" and that the hope is he gets back to work this week.
James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid): #Colts HC Shane Steichen says WR Alec Pierce (ankle/heel) will not practice TODAY, but he hopes he can practice this week. Says he's in "a really good spot." CB Charvarius Ward Sr. (back) will practice today. Hasn't practiced since Aug. 9.
Ward's return is the more immediate one. The veteran cornerback had not practiced since Aug. 9 because of a back injury, and he started Monday's session with individual work before ramping up, per Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star.
There was another meaningful detail on Pierce: the team has not had any conversations about keeping him on the physically unable to perform list to start the season, per Jake Arthur of 107.5 The Fan. That aligns with the timeline Steichen described, with Indianapolis clearly expecting its deep-threat receiver back in the offensive plan well before the opener.