The Indianapolis Colts will apparently begin 2026 training camp with the services of defensive lineman DeForest Buckner. He wasn't placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but the list gets a little complicated this time of the football season.
Unlike the regular season, when a player placed on PUP has to miss at least four games, a player on the list in camp can come off at any point and practice right away. Buckner not being on PUP means fans don't need to panic. Wide receiver Alec Pierce was placed on PUP, but again, he could come off at any point.
The great defensive tackle missed time last season because of a neck injury he suffered in Week 9 last season. He returned to play part of one more game, but then missed the rest of the year. He is far and away Indy's best player at his position, and his absence would be felt more than the loss of most other players at their spots.
Indianapolis Colts don't place DeForest Buckner on training camp PUP...yet
Obviously, neck problems are nothing to play around with. Buckner deserves to have a long life after football and not have that altered by an injury he suffered when he was younger, working his day job. He needs to worry about his health in 2026, but also 2066, and hopefully beyond.
Potentially holding him out of camp would have allowed him to be fully healed and ready for the regular season, but at this point, he doesn't seem to need to rest. While every player needs to get some physical work in before playing a real game, Buckner has been around long enough to know how to prepare for the season, both physically and mentally, if he sees even limited reps.
The injury in 2025 was a herniated disc. That is the type of issue that could be aggravated, especially playing a collision sport. One might wonder how much longer the player wants to keep playing football, as he is 32 years old, and one can assume he has made generational wealth performing in the NFL.
If DeForest Buckner does want to keep playing, then, of course, he should be allowed to do so. Like any other human being, he will likely be concerned about his neck. If he decides to retire after the coming season, no one would blame him, just as if he wanted to play another few years.
The other part that could have an impact on his decision this coming season is that Buckner has one year left on his current Indianapolis Colts contract. Next year, he will be 33 and a free agent, assuming Indy doesn't re-sign him. He is still elite at his position, and let's hope in 20 years he is healthy enough to do what he wants.
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