One would likely not find fault with Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman DeForest Buckner not coming back. He injured his neck in 2025 in Week 9, missed some time, came back to play part of one more game, and missed the rest of the season. He did not need to play.
Buckner had some thoughts about not coming back, as he told the media recently. He had surgery and couldn't even pick up his children after that. Anyone would ask themselves if they needed to keep doing a job that could have life-altering effects.
According to the great Mike Chappell of FOX 59, Buckner said, "Obviously, when things like that happen, I found myself in some deep, dark thoughts about what I’m going to do...It was definitely hard dealing with this last year, but I can only go as far as my body tells me. I listen to it sometimes, and sometimes I don’t...I’m going to do whatever it takes to help my team and be out there with my guys. But you also have to make sure you’re not risking a lot of things that can hurt you in the long term."
DeForest Buckner gets brutally honest about returning to the Indianapolis Colts
Colts fans would probably not be surprised if 2026 was the great player's last season. Had he injured his neck (he had a herniated disc and compressed nerve) at the age of 25, things might be different. He is now 32 years old, having likely earned more than enough money to live the rest of his life extremely comfortably financially.
He has children, and the rest of his, hopefully, long life ahead of him. To further suffer neck problems might mean that at 55 years old, he doesn't have the movement he otherwise would. Football is a great sport, and can be lucrative for players, but it does come at a risk.
A couple of key Indianapolis Colts learned that last season. Buckner had his neck injury, and cornerback Charvarius Ward suffered three concussions. He thought about not coming back, and his father didn't want him to. Still, he is returning, and the hope is that he never has another concussion again.
If he does, he will face the same "deep, dark" thoughts that Buckner had. It's easy to forget while watching a football game that the players are human beings as well.
Partly, they are quite lucky. They get to live out their life's dream of making a living while playing a sport, but that comes with the pressure of needing to be good or quickly losing one's job while also risking themselves to brutal injuries.
DeForest Buckner of the Colts is back for the 2026 season, and hopes to return by training camp, but make no mistake, he is likely only an injury away from retirement. One that he has earned.
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