DeForest

Buckner

It’s a tough loss for the Colts and a defense that currently ranks seventh in points allowed. The decision to place Buckner on injured reserve means he will miss at least the next four games, making Week 15 against the Seahawks the earliest he could return. Buckner has totaled 26 tackles, four sacks, and nine TFLs this season while earning a PFF defensive grade of 74.9. Neville Gallimore is listed behind him on the team’s depth chart and should be next in line for work along the Colts’ d-line.

This is a notable loss for the Colts, who are tasked with containing the Falcons’ rushing attack this week. Buckner ranks second on the team in quarterback pressures (33) and sacks (four), and sixth in tackles (29). The Colts are on bye in Week 11 and face the Chiefs in Week 12. Hopefully, he is good to go by then.

We weren’t too worried about Buckner, who has been an ironman for the Colts, not playing. Buckner had suited up for 17 games in each of 2021-2023 before missing five games in 2024. Indy’s defense would be a contrarian play against a Rams offense that looks loaded to take advantage of their cornerback issues in Week 4.

A DNP to open the week isn’t ideal, but Buckner is no stranger to playing through injuries. He should be able to suit up as long as he gets in some practice reps later this week. Buckner had 6.5 sacks in 12 games last year. He is still searching for his first sack of the season in 2025 and will look to get it versus Matthew Stafford and the Rams in Week 4.

Buckner popped up as a DNP on Wednesday’s report with a foot injury, but Thursday’s upgrade suggests he’ll be good to go for Week 11’s game against the Jets barring any setbacks. Buckner missed five games this season due to an ankle injury, but has been a force to be reckoned with since returning. Over his last three games, the veteran lineman has totaled 17 tackles, three TFLs, and two sacks while generating 14 pressures.

The Colts’ star defensive lineman cannot catch a break. Hopefully, Buckner is able to suit up for the 4-6 Colts’ must-win AFC game against the Jets this week. Though the team has a losing record, they remain in contention for a playoff spot.

He was one of two Colts named questionable on the final report, but it never sounded like there was much of a chance that Buckner would miss a must-win game for the Colts against the only other AFC South contender. Josh Downs, Michael Pittman, and Jonathan Taylor all came off the injury report Friday and are active. Inactive for the Colts are: DE Genard Avery, QB Sam Ehlinger, WR Anthony Gould, DE Isaiah Land, CB David Long Jr., and C Danny Pinter. Avery is the only non-healthy scratch of the group as he deals with a foot injury.

Buckner has been on injured reserve since suffering an ankle injury in Week 2. The Colts opened his practice window earlier this week. He was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. Indy gave him a rest day on Friday. He appears to be good to go for Sunday, giving a struggling Colts defense a much-needed reinforcement for their matchup with Houston.

Buckner was a limited participant yesterday; the same day the Colts opened his 21-day practice window. It appears as though the Colts will get their towering, difference-making defensive tackle back from the high-ankle sprain that kept him sidelined since September.

The standout defensive end hasn’t played since Week 2, when he suffered a serious ankle injury. The Colts defense without Buckner has been one of the worst in the NFL this season, especially against opposing rushing attacks. Buckner could return as soon as Week 8 against Houston.