DeForest Buckner had an injury scare in 2025. The Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman suffered a neck injury, was placed on injured reserve, came back for one game, aggravated the injury, and was placed on injured reserve again, and missed the rest of the season.
More importantly, though, one might rightly worry about Buckner's long-term health. Neck injuries are no joke, and certainly can be life-altering. Buckner has most likely earned all the money he would need to live the rest of his life comfortably, so putting how the rest of his life is lived by playing another season is a real question.
Cornerback Charvarius Ward has the same question to ask himself this offseason. He suffered three concussions in 2025 alone, and he is 30 years old. He was open about his return, initially saying he wanted to keep playing after his second, but since then, he might not be so sure.
DeForest Buckner drops the details on the potential end of his Indianapolis Colts career
His father wants him to retire. Ward, like Buckner, has made enough money in his career to retire in comfort. Why risk one's health?
Buckner, however, is certain of the next step in his career: He is coming back. On Instagram, he posted "Year 10" and "Next season I will be complete."
According to Mike Chappell of FOX 59, Buckner said, "I’m going to be honest, I’m on the tail end of my career, you know what I mean? I don’t know, God willing, how many snaps I have left. I’ve just got to appreciate all the ones I have. I’m going to go as long as physically and mentally I’m in it, and I still am. I’m going to go until I have no regrets. When I retire, I want to be able to be like, ‘I gave it everything I had and my cup’s full.’"
The admission is clear. The great defensive lineman knows he isn't going to be playing much longer. He is past 30 years old, which is the time many interior lineman begin thinking the end of their careers is near anyway. After suffering a neck injury, the question becomes even more prescient.
Plus, DeForest Buckner of the Indianapolis Colts has already given fans everything they might want. Have his teams consistently made it to the playoffs or won a Super Bowl? No, but none of that is Buckner's fault.
He's been a two-time Pro Bowler with Indy and was once named First-Team All-Pro. He has been a great teammate and an elite player. Whenever he decides to retire, whether due to injury or not, Colts fans will always like him. He deserves that, and he deserves to leave when he wants to leave the game.