Colts news: Shane Steichen defiantly denies Alec Pierce was rushed back from injury after setback lands him on IR

On Wednesday, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen denied allegations that wide receiver Alec Pierce was hurried back from a heel injury that subsequently cost him a spot on the active roster. Pierce injured his left heel during the Colts' overtime victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Following the game, IndyStar's Joel A. Erickson reported that the Colts were planning to place Pierce on injured reserve.

Steichen affirmed that the team adhered to the appropriate procedures and protocols before releasing Pierce. He emphasized that Pierce felt comfortable returning to play and had met all the required criteria during his recovery. The player plans to rehabilitate the injury rather than undergo another surgery, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Pierce's move to injured reserve will likely force the Colts to rely on other wide receivers for the time being. The team recently signed Darius Slayton on a free agency, and Steichen has not ruled out the possibility of Slayton playing in the upcoming game against the Houston Texans. The Colts are currently 0-2 and will host the Texans in Week 3, aiming to secure their first win of the season.