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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce reached an NFL milestone in the team’s season finale Sunday, but the fourth-year veteran was unable to finish the game after being ejected late in the third quarter for making contact with an official following a disputed call.
Pierce, 25, finished with four receptions for a season-high 132 yards and two touchdowns, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards. He also finished the regular season leading the NFL with 21.3 receiving yards for the second straight year.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) reacts after catching a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the first half at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on January 4, 2026. (Thomas Shea/Imagn Images)
But the celebrations were dampened by Pierce’s first NFL ejection.
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“Just knowing it’s my last game, it wasn’t the way I wanted to finish. It was an abrupt end to the season here and everything. I wanted to be out there and finish it with my brothers today,” Pierce told reporters after the team’s 38-30 loss to the Houston Texans.
Pierce was ejected after a third-and-goal play from the six-yard line. He pleaded his case to an official after believing Texans cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram should have been called for pass interference.
Fighting for a flag, Pierce drew one himself after making contact with the referee.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) questions a call during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Houston, Texas on January 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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“I thought it was pass interference, so I was talking to him about it and then I guess I hit him,” the star receiver said.
Pierce said he tried to apologize to the referee and clarify that it was not a “malicious act.”
“I just wanted to let him know I wasn’t trying to put my hands on him or anything.”
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen walks with Alec Pierce (14) after Pierce was ejected for making contact with an official during the third quarter of a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on January 4, 2026. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
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Despite missing the playoffs and failing to finish the game, Pierce said he was happy to reach his first 1,000-yard season.
“It’s a milestone. I think that’s a goal of every NFL wide receiver. It’s a milestone. Obviously the season didn’t end the way we wanted and we’d much rather be in the playoffs, but take what we can get.”
