In a hit to their defensive line, the Indianapolis Colts have placed tackle DeForest Buckner on injured reserve due to a neck injury he sustained. Coach Shane Steichen, in a statement obtained by FOX59, confirmed the news, with Buckner now being unable to suit up for the next four Colts games at the very least. Looking at the cold, hard stats, this isn't just about losing a player; it's about losing a key player who has started 82 of 87 games and racked up a franchise record of 43 sacks for a tackle.
According to the NFL's official website, the Colts' defensive strategy will need a quick shuffle to cover for Buckner's absence. Neville Gallimore steps into the starting role, while Adetomiwa Adebawore waits in the wings. This is the second consecutive season Buckner has been sidelined due to injury, having previously missed five games with a high ankle sprain in 2024, while he racked up 42 tackles and 4.0 sacks so far this season.
Buckner's absence delivers a significant hit to the Colts' run defense, which happens to be ranked fourth in the NFL. At stake, after their Berlin game against the Atlanta Falcons, are upcoming matches against teams with strong offensive plays—the falcon-like Kansas City Chiefs and the ground-pounding Houston Texans. This places the Colts in a tricky situation, having to strengthen a "shaky pass defense," a task possibly mitigated by the recent addition of cornerback Sauce Gardner, as CBS Sports suggests.
While the severity of Buckner's neck injury has not been disclosed, the team's cautious approach hints at its gravity; Coach Steichen desires a full recovery over a rushed return. "Hopefully we'll get him back," Steichen told reporters, as per Fox59. There's a palpable gap left in the Colts' defensive lineup, with Atlanta's talented ballcarrier Bijan Robinson waiting just around the corner—and now without Buckner to hold the line.
