AlecPierce

News: 2 days agoPierce (ankle) is slated to be activated from the active/PUP list Thursday, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.

Spin: Pierce has been sidelined since undergoing ankle surgery in March, and after encountering some hiccups that prevented him from participating in training camp he is now ready to get back on the field. It was reported earlier in August that Pierce was expected to be available in Week 1, and although that is not a lock, the wideout's looming practice participation has him trending toward that outcome, with over two weeks to prepare for his club's season-opening matchup with the Ravens.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Pierce has spent the majority of his first four NFL seasons as a situational deep threat, but that didn't stop him from becoming one of the league's highest-paid wide receivers during the offseason. The 2022 second-round pick is fresh off a career year and he's now paced all receivers in YPR, YPT and aDOT each of the last two seasons. However, he's yet to finish a season better than 48th at WR in target share (18%), 42nd in targets (84), 45th in catches (47), 18th in yards (1,003), 18th in TDs (seven) or 25th in fantasy PPG. Of course, with Michael Pittman Jr. no longer in the mix, Pierce is a good bet for a more well-rounded role as Daniel Jones' top target. There's some risk here, but the 26-year-old's hefty contract suggests we should take him seriously as a fantasy WR3.