Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce had a career-best performance in the team's season finale against the Houston Texans, catching four passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns to surpass 1,000 receiving yards for the first time. However, his day ended abruptly when he was ejected for incidental contact with an official while arguing a call. The Colts lost 38-30, marking their seventh straight defeat.
Alec Pierce's standout 2025 season concluded on a sour note during the Indianapolis Colts' Week 18 matchup at NRG Stadium in Houston. In a third-and-goal situation from the six-yard line late in the third quarter, quarterback Riley Leonard targeted Pierce in the end zone, but coverage from Texans cornerback Ja'Marcus Ingram prevented the score. Believing it was pass interference, Pierce approached the nearest official to plead his case, inadvertently grazing him with his body.
"I was talking to him about that, and I guess I bumped him," Pierce said afterward. The contact resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct flag and his ejection from the game—a first in his career. "I don't think I've ever got ejected," he added. Colts head coach Shane Steichen described it as an unfortunate incident, praising Pierce's character: "Alec did not mean to do that... one of the best dudes on our team."
CBS Sports rules analyst Gene Steratore concurred with the decision, noting the contact, though minimal, warranted the ejection. Prior to leaving, Pierce had already made significant impacts, including a career-high 66-yard touchdown and a 53-yard reception as part of his four-catch, 132-yard, two-touchdown outing. These stats pushed his season totals to 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns, marking his first 1,000-yard campaign.
Pierce also led the NFL in yards per reception for the second straight year at 21.3, becoming the first player since Flipper Anderson in 1989 and 1990 to average 20 or more on at least 35 catches in consecutive seasons. Steichen credited his success to work ethic: "He competes his tail off... makes the play."
Without Pierce, the Colts settled for field goals in the fourth quarter but fell 38-30 to the Texans, who added a defensive touchdown on a late lateral mishap. At 25, Pierce enters free agency in March, his future with Indianapolis uncertain after the rookie contract expires.