The Indianapolis Colts' defense has been the subject of much concern through the first nine weeks of the 2025 NFL season. That concern only grew after the team was soundly beaten in Week 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Another defensive injury in that game didn't help matters.
Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner suffered a neck injury in the loss to the Steelers. Indianapolis placed Buckner on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least four weeks. At the time of the injury, Buckner was second among DTs in quarterback pressures with 33.
ESPN's Dan Orlovsky said, "I think this is season-changing. This would be the one person you could not lose on that defense, in my opinion."
Indianapolis Colts' defense continues to see injuries and mistakes pile up
The Colts were proving his point in the first half of the Week 10 game with Atlanta, as the only pressure on Falcons QB Michael Penix, Jr came from the safeties (one hit and two sacks).
Things went from bad to worse for the Indy defense on the first drive of the second half. Defensive tackle Grover Stewart laid a hit on Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier and was shaken up. Stewart was taken to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion, but would later return to the game.
The game may have been across the pond in Berlin, Germany, but it seems the defense rode the struggle bus to get there. This should have been a game where the team would make every effort to establish itself. Instead, Penix and the Atlanta offense were allowed to make plays.
Fortunately for Indianapolis, the Falcons' offense did not take advantage of their opportunities. Atlanta fans are likely complaining about their offense the way Colts fans are commiserating about the Indy defense.
Indianapolis would win the game in overtime thanks to more great running by Jonathan Taylor, who essentially bailed out the Colts' defense. The win was set up by a couple of great plays by linebacker Zaire Franklin, the last of which was a sack of Penix on the Falcons' only possession of OT.
This Indy defense has shown at times that it can be one of the most exciting parts of the Colts team. The addition of Sauce Gardner addressed the need for secondary help. The defensive line will need to show consistent QB pressure to show just how exciting they can be.