Pierce originally had surgery on the heel this offseason and is now expected to miss an undetermined number of games after hurting it again in Sunday night's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Backup Ashton Dulin is also dealing with an ankle issue, leaving Indianapolis thin at the position heading into a stretch where the team has otherwise looked sharp offensively.
A Reunion Years In The Making
Slayton and Colts quarterback Daniel Jones spent six seasons together with the Giants from 2019 to 2024, connecting on 200 catches for 2,904 yards and 12 touchdowns during that stretch.
Slayton was actually Jones' most-targeted receiver in both 2022 and 2023, before Malik Nabers arrived and reshaped New York's passing game the following year.
We have signed WR Darius Slayton.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 22, 2026
Slayton was the Giants' longest-tenured player before being cut at the end of training camp, a release that came as a surprise given his track record.
He finishes his seven-year Giants tenure with 296 catches for 4,435 yards and 22 touchdowns, and he posted 37 catches for 538 yards and a touchdown across 14 games last season alone.
Why Indianapolis Wanted Him Specifically
Slayton's calling card has always been his ability to stretch the field, averaging 15.0 yards per catch for his career.
That profile fits what the Colts are missing with Pierce sidelined, even if he doesn't project as a true replacement for Pierce's role as Indianapolis' top receiving threat.
Josh Downs is expected to continue handling the bulk of the underneath and intermediate work, with Keenan Allen also drawing targets, while Slayton slots in as the closest thing the Colts have left to a vertical option.
Veteran WR Darius Slayton is signing with the Colts, sources tell @ringer @netflixsports.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 22, 2026
With Alec Pierce dealing with a heel injury, Indianapolis turns to Slayton, who played the past seven seasons with the Giants — and now reunites with Daniel Jones. pic.twitter.com/zcHenDO5S8
For a team that's opened the season with some nice offensive momentum, adding a receiver who already knows how to read his quarterback gives Indianapolis a low-risk way to keep that rhythm going while Pierce works his way back.
