The Indianapolis Colts announced that they would be without one of their best defensive players for the foreseeable future mere days after trading for star cornerback Sauce Gardner
18:42 ET, 07 Nov 2025
Sauce Gardner looks over his shoulder while on the sideline
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Sauce Gardner was acquired by the Colts via a blockbuster trade on Tuesday(Image: Getty Images)
The Indianapolis Colts’ defense has taken a major hit mere days after receiving a massive boost.
On Tuesday, the Colts sent shockwaves across the NFL by acquiring star cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets in exchange for two first-round picks (2026, '27) and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
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Before the dust could even settle on the blockbuster trade, however, Indianapolis announced that defensive tackle DeForest Buckner would be placed on injured reserve due to a neck injury he suffered during a Week 9 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Speaking to reporters on Friday, Colts head coach Shane Steichen acknowledged the gravity of losing Buckner, who will now miss the next four games with “no timetable” provided on his return.
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“He's as tough as they get. Anytime a guy like that goes down, obviously it hurts our football team,” Steichen said of Buckner. “He's one of our leaders, one of our best players on defense, been a staple for us. No timetable on the return.”
When healthy, Buckner stands as one of the best run stoppers and pass rushers at his position.
Through nine games this season, the three-time Pro Bowler amassed four sacks and 20 pressures — the most on the Colts and tied for sixth-most in the NFL — despite being double-teamed on 64.2% of his pass-rush snaps.
"That's tough. Buck is obviously one of the best in the league at his position and one of our leaders on this defense,” safety Cam Bynum said. “But it's the next man up. And I know that Buck is going to do everything he can to get back healthy and take care of his body."
DeForest Buckner walks off the field while wearing a hat
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DeForest Buckner is slated to miss the Colts' next four games after being placed on injured reserve(Image: Getty Images)
While Indianapolis’ defensive front has taken a significant blow, their secondary has vastly improved following the arrival of Gardner, who’s slated to make his Colts debut against the Atlanta Falcons in Germany this weekend.
Ahead of Sunday’s contest at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, players inside the Colts locker room were still struggling to wrap their head around having the first-team All-Pro on their side.
“When you can add a player of that caliber, no matter the side of the ball — offense or defense — it’s special,” running back Jonathan Taylor said.
According to Bynum, it hasn’t taken long for Gardner to warm up to his new teammates. “He’s gelled so far really well with the rest of the DBs,” the 27-year-old said.
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For Gardner, the change of scenery from a downtrodden franchise to Super Bowl contender was a dream come true.
"When he told me the Colts — obviously I got drafted there and everything like that, but I want to win and things like that — I was like, 'This is a great situation,'" he said.
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"Obviously knowing a few guys on the team already, being closer to home, being closer to where I went to college, God just keeps blessing me in many ways. It's truly a blessing to be here. And my favorite color is blue, so it just worked out perfect."