The Indianapolis Colts made one of the bigger moves at the 2025 trade deadline by acquiring cornerback Sauce Gardner. The team had struggled with its pass rush all season, and while Gardner is not a pass rusher, he does provide sticky coverage, giving the pass rush more time to get home.
But the players who need to get home are fewer after Friday's news. Two days ahead of Indy playing in Berlin against the Atlanta Falcons, the team announced three-time Pro Bowler defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will be placed on injured reserve with a neck injury.
The team's bye week is in Week 12, but that won't count toward the four games Buckner must miss while on IR. This means he won't be able to return until at least Week 15. That would leave four games left in the season for Buckner to appear.
Indianapolis Colts place DeForest Buckner on injured reserve
The issue is that neck injuries are definitely nothing to rush a player back from. If the injury is serious, and clearly it is, as the Colts put Buckner on IR, then there could be a chance he doesn't play again this season. If not for the betterment of the team, keeping Bucker out for his future health is important.
So far in 2025, the DT has four sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and nine tackles for loss. He has consistently been the Indianapolis Colts' most disruptive defensive lineman since he came to the team in 2020. He is also almost 32 years old, so how much longer he plays is anyone's guess.
In Week 10, the Falcons could be the kind of team that takes advantage of the absence of Buckner. Atlanta has an excellent running back in Bijan Robinson, and the Falcons could attempt to win the game by controlling the clock with great use of their star RB.
Ultimately, however, the concern should be about Buckner the person. Hopefully, his neck issue is not a grave concern, and he can play again this season. Still, for his long life after football, he and the Colts should not take any chances.