The Indianapolis Colts made a splash at the NFL trade deadline, acquiring CB Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets for two first-round picks and WR AD Mitchell.
Gardner joins a Colts team that is sitting at 7-2 and in first place in the AFC North, although Indianapolis has its eyes on more than a division title. The star cornerback instantly becomes one of the best players on the team and could bring an already-strong defense up another level.
For Week 10, the Colts are headed to Germany to take on the Atlanta Falcons, but Gardner still has to clear some hurdles before joining his new team after missing his most recent contest with an injury. Here's the latest on when Gardner will make his Colts debut.
MORE WEEK 10 NFL:
Is Sauce Gardner playing this week?
Gardner last played for the Jets on October 19, when he suffered a concussion against the Carolina Panthers. He then missed the next week against the Cincinnati Bengals before the Jets went on their bye last week.
Therefore, Gardner has had two weeks to recover from the concussion, although he remained in concussion protocol when he was traded from the Jets to the Colts. On Wednesday, head coach Shane Steichen said the plan is for Gardner to practice, and he will play on Sunday as long as he clears concussion protocol.
Shane Steichen on the trade for Sauce Gardner.
Gardner will practice today.
If Gardner clears concussion protocol, he will play Sunday. pic.twitter.com/lkxrhn9xBi
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) November 5, 2025
That turned out to be true, as Gardner was on the practice field sporting his signature No. 1.
No. 1 Sauce Gardner pic.twitter.com/zKVqMxkOvu
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) November 5, 2025
Gardner started seven games for the Jets in 2025 and has started all 55 games in which he's played since he entered the league in 2022. If he can't go this week, then it will be another two weeks before Gardner returns as the Colts are on a bye in Week 11.
MORE NFL TRADE DEADLINE:
Colts CB depth chart
CB CB Slot CB
First-team Sauce Gardner Mekhi Blackmon Kenny Moore
Second-team Johnathan Edwards Cameron Mitchell Chris Lammons
Third-team Jaylon Jones Charvarius Ward (IR) Justin Walley (IR)
Gardner's arrival means either Mekhi Blackmon or Johnathan Edwards will drop out of the starting lineup. Blackmon gets the edge as he's started six games this year, while Edwards has started just three contests.
However, the expectation is bthat oth will take a step back when Charvarius Ward returns from injury. Ward has started four games for Indianapolis this year, but has been on injured reserve since suffering a concussion in the middle of October. Additionally, Jaylon Jones, a cornerback who started 17 games last year, has played in just two games this year after returning from a hamstring injury.