The Indianapolis Colts looked like a certified playoff team early in the season before the wheels came off. Injuries have really hamstrung the Colts, resulting in the team losing five consecutive games out of the bye week. Now, they have incredibly slim odds of making it into the playoffs as a Wild Card team.
On Friday, the Colts were dealt more bad news. Defensive lineman DeForest Buckner aggravated a neck injury that had sidelined him earlier in the season and now requires surgery. Due to this, Buckner is now out for the rest of the season. A true gut-punch of news for Colts fans, as the season hangs on by a thread. But the team did provide some positive news on Friday.
Cornerback Sauce Gardner, whom the team acquired from the New York Jets in a blockbuster deal, was a full participant in practice on Friday. Afterward, Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters that he expects Gardner to play in the team's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
#Colts HC Shane Steichen says that he expects CB Sauce Gardner (left calf) and LT Bernhard Raimann (right elbow) to play against the #Jaguars.
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) December 26, 2025
Colts' Sauce Gardner set to make return from calf injury in Week 17
As Colts fans all know, they paid a hefty price to bring in Gardner in hopes of bolstering their playoff odds. The trade cost the Colts a 2026 and 2027 first-round pick and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Gardner played in three games for the Colts before suffering the aforementioned calf injury against the Houston Texans in Week 13.
When Gardner played, he proved he was worth the capital and a young player in Mitchell. Through his first three games with the Colts, Gardner recorded 12 tackles and two pass breakups while allowing just five receptions for 38 yards on 10 targets, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
The Colts defense could use the added boost of Gardner, even though their playoff odds are really low. This is a team that on Monday night was torched by the San Francisco 49ers, particularly Brock Purdy and George Kittle.
Gardner will be tasked with helping stop a Jaguars passing offense that averages 218.3 yards per game (15th in the NFL). Let's not forget that the Jaguars did torch a dominant Broncos defense, with Trevor Lawrence throwing for 279 yards and three touchdowns in their 34-20 victory.
The Colts' only chance of making the playoffs is if they win their final two games and the Houston Texans lose to the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday. Remember, the Colts face the Texans in the regular season finale. But the Colts would still need help even if this scenario pans out.
Having Gardner healthy and ready to go should help the Colts try to keep their playoff hopes alive.