Maybe it's just bad luck. The Indianapolis Colts obviously had far too many injuries to key players, and that affected the season. That isn't the only reason Indy isn't making the postseason, but it is one reason. But is there a chance that the team handled the situation incorrectly and put players in further harm?
To be sure, a player missing a game because of injury isn't only up to the football minds of an organization. The team's medical crew is involved, as well as input from the player. No one knows better how a person is feeling than the person themselves, of course.
But the oddness of one injury leading to another, or being made worse by playing, is prevalent with the Colts in 2025. Quarterback Daniel Jones broke his fibula at some point around the Week 11 bye week. The exact date he was hurt is not clear.
Indianapolis Colts injuries seemed to be multifaceted in 2026
But he wanted to keep playing even though his leg was broken, and the team and its medical component allowed it. It didn't take too many games for Jones to tear the Achilles tendon in his other leg. He has missed the rest of this season, and his timeline for return isn't firm. He still has to go through rehab after having surgery.
Defensive lineman DeForest Buckner suffered a herniated disc in his neck in Week 9 and was placed on injured reserve. Neck issues can be life-altering, and not simply career-altering. But he was allowed to come back in Week 16, aggravated the injury, which then required surgery, and he missed the final two games of the season.
He plans to return in 2026, the final year of his current contract with the Colts, but the team and his doctors need to be in step as far as making sure Buckner is no more at risk for hurting his neck than any other player might be. Life goes on after one's NFL career ends, and it shouldn't be affected by an injury.
Cornerback Sauce Gardner strained his left calf in Week 13, and wasn't able to play again in Week 17. Still, he was clearly not 100 percent, rotated in and out of the game, until he appeared to aggravate the injury and left the game for good. Head coach Shane Steichen said Gardner's calf felt tight, and the team removed the player to be safe.
Safe isn't something that the Colts have seemed to be with some players this season, though. Injuries happen as part of the game, of course, but Jones' Achilles tendon tear could have been caused by him compensating for his broken fibula. Buckner seemingly wasn't ready to come back either as his aggravation forced a surgery.
Obviously, in 2026, Indianapolis Colts players deserve better luck with injuries. They might also need second and third opinions before returning to play before the team puts them in harm's way.