Alec Pierce or Woody Marks: Who Should You Start?
2026 Week 2 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Pierce's downfield role gives him the edge over Marks
Pierce gets the nod because his vertical role and larger share of passing-game work give him more paths to a useful PPR day, even in Kansas City's difficult receiver matchup. Marks benefits from Houston's better scoring environment, but his change-of-pace role behind Montgomery limits his rushing ceiling and leaves little receiving insulation, as ESPN 2026-09-13 reports. This is a narrow call: Pierce's main risk is that his usage is based on only one game and he is still returning from PUP, though he was a full participant Wednesday (colts.com 2026-09-16).
What flips it: A late setback in Pierce's practice status.
Sources: colts.com · Sep 16, 2026 · ESPN · Sep 13, 2026
AI editor
Alec Pierce
7.39.211.1 Projected Points
Woody Marks
5.66.47.1 Projected Points
Alec Pierce’s market
Woody Marks’s market
Why Alec Pierce
Toss-UpOutside WR and primary deep threat. Big-bodied vertical winner with elite yards-per-catch profile.
Toss-up — WR39 consensus, projects WR37 this week: KC is the 4th-toughest matchup vs WRs, 21% target share.
- His deep-threat role can turn modest volume into a difference-making PPR play.
- Wednesday's full practice participation supports confidence in his availability after the PUP return.
Latest on Pierce
Alec Pierce was a full participant in Wednesday's practice for the first time since being activated off PUP.
Practice Notebook: WR Alec Pierce a full participant in Wednesday's practicecolts.com · Sep 16, 2026With his hand X-rays negative, Pierce is expected to be ready to play in the Colts' Week 2 game at Kansas City, though he may not be a full practice participant leading up to the game.
CBS Sports · Sep 14, 2026The Colts on Wednesday conducted their first true game week practice ahead of Sunday's season opener against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce "should be good to go" for the team's season opener against the Ravens after having offseason ankle surgery, coach Shane Steichen said.
The wide receiver was activated from PUP August 27.
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Why Woody Marks
SitRB2 behind David Montgomery. Between-the-tackles committee back who carried 196 times for 703 yards as a rookie with light pass-game usage.
Sit — bench-tier RB at consensus RB44: 24.5 implied team total, 3% target share.
- Two-minute drill work gives Marks a path to unexpected passing-game value.
- Houston's lead-back role for Montgomery makes Marks' committee workload the central problem.
Latest on Marks
Marks handled 10 touches for 40 yards in a clear change-of-pace role behind Montgomery in Week 1, including two-minute drill work, but Montgomery is now viewed as Houston's top back heading into Week 2 vs. the Bengals.
ESPN · Sep 13, 2026Houston traded for a veteran back and John Harris explains how it'll make their second-year rusher even stronger.
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Head-to-head stats
| Metric | Alec Pierce | Woody Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 7.39.211.1 | 5.66.47.1 |
| Consensus rank | WR39 | RB44 |
| Opponent vs position | KC · 4 of 321-game sample | CIN · 16 of 321-game sample |
| Receptions | 3 of 32 | 29 of 32 |
| Receiving Yards | 3 of 32 | 27 of 32 |
| Receiving TDs | 1 of 32 | — |
| Targets | 11 of 32 | — |
| Anytime TD | 1 of 32 | 13 of 32 |
| Rushing Yards | — | 7 of 32 |
| Rushing TDs | — | 15 of 32 |
| Rushing Attempts | — | 4 of 32 |
| Target share | 21% | 3% |
| Reception share | 21% | 4% |
| Implied total · spread | 20.5+6.5 | 24.5-2.5 |
| Depth chart | WR1 | RB2 |
| Snap share | 59% | 51% |
| Start/Sit record | 0–0+1 toss-up | — |
Recent form
Alec Pierce — last 1 week
| Week 1 | vs BAL | 6.18.110.1 |
Woody Marks — last 1 week
| Week 1 | vs BUF | 4.04.55.0 |
Signal breakdown
- 11.1 vs 7.1 projected PPR pointsAlec Pierce +
- Rank 39 vs 44Alec Pierce +
- Opponent DvP rank 4 vs 16 (32 = softest)even
- Implied 20.5 vs 24.5 team pointsWoody Marks +
- No injury designationseven
- 59% vs 51% snap shareAlec Pierce +
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