Colts Move Alec Pierce and C.J. Allen to PUP List as Training Camp Begins

Indianapolis announced Tuesday that wide receiver Alec Pierce and linebacker C.J. Allen will start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, a move that reshapes the roster ahead of the 2026 preseason.

Core developments

The team’s official statement confirmed that both players have been placed on the Active/PUP list, meaning they will be ineligible to practice until cleared by the team’s medical staff Colts.com. The designation was filed simultaneously with the waiver of running back Lincoln Pare, who was released with a non‑football injury designation Colts.com.

Pierce, a second‑round pick out of Indianapolis in 2022, is listed with an ankle issue that sidelined him for a portion of the 2025 season. The Colts’ press release noted that his injury “requires additional time for recovery,” prompting the PUP placement NBC Sports. Allen, a 2024 rookie linebacker, was also placed on the list, though the team did not specify a particular ailment; the move aligns with standard protocol for players who arrive at camp with lingering issues from the offseason or preseason workouts NFLTradeRumors.co.

Both players remain part of the 90‑man roster but will not count against the active 53‑man limit until they are activated. The Colts will retain the ability to move each player to active status after a minimum of six weeks, per NFL rules governing the PUP designation ProFootballRumors.com.

Why it matters

Placing a second‑year wideout and a promising rookie linebacker on PUP has immediate implications for Indianapolis’ depth chart and strategic planning. Pierce, who logged 46 receptions for 560 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie season, was slated to be a key component of the passing attack alongside veteran Michael Pittman III. His absence forces the coaching staff to lean more heavily on younger receivers such as Darnell Mooney and veteran Zach Graham, while also accelerating the development of undrafted free agents signed during the offseason.

On defense, Allen was projected to compete for a rotational role behind established linebackers Tremaine Miller and Jabril Cox. Losing him from practice drills reduces the team’s ability to evaluate depth at a position that suffered injuries last year, notably to starter Ryker Bennett, who missed several games due to a hamstring strain.

The timing of the move also affects the Colts’ special‑teams planning. Both Pierce and Allen have contributed on return units in the past; their unavailability means the team must identify alternative return specialists early in camp, a factor that could influence field‑position strategy in the opening weeks of the season.

Differing viewpoints and reactions

Analysts on the NFL beat have framed the PUP placements as both a prudent health measure and a potential setback for a team that hopes to contend in the AFC South. Stampede Blue highlighted that “the Colts are being cautious with Pierce’s ankle, which could preserve his long‑term value,” while also noting that the move “creates an opportunity for other receivers to step up.”

Conversely, some commentators expressed concern that the roster shuffling could expose the Colts’ thinness at receiver, especially after the release of Lincoln Pare, who was a depth option on the backfield. 4for4 observed that “the waiver of Pare, coupled with Pierce’s PUP status, narrows the offensive weapon pool just as the team looks to expand its playbook.”

Team insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that the decision was driven by a “conservative medical evaluation” rather than any immediate performance worries. They added that Allen’s placement was “mostly procedural,” reflecting a standard approach for rookies who arrive with minor preseason soreness NFL Rumors - ProFootballRumors.com.

What’s next

With training camp underway, the Colts will monitor Pierce’s ankle through daily assessments and may activate him as early as Week 5 if cleared. The team’s medical staff is expected to provide updates during the weekly practice reports, which are typically released by the end of each camp day.

Allen’s recovery timeline remains less defined; the linebackers coach has indicated that the rookie will participate in a “modified workout schedule” designed to accelerate his return without risking re‑injury. If both players become active before the regular season, the Colts will have the flexibility to adjust their depth charts and special‑teams assignments accordingly.

In the short term, Indianapolis will rely on its existing depth at receiver and linebacker to fill the practice roster, while evaluating free‑agent signings and practice‑squad promotions that could provide additional insurance. The upcoming preseason games will serve as a proving ground for the players stepping into the roles vacated by Pierce and Allen, and performance in those contests will likely influence the final roster decisions heading into the regular season.