The Indianapolis Colts are currently playing from behind. The team needs unexpected victories to make the playoffs, but injuries might make that difficult. That includes star defensive lineman DeForest Buckner.
Buckner has been on injured reserve since Week 9 after suffering a herniated disc in his neck. To be sure, the defensive lineman playing again might be a risk. Neck injuries could be life-altering. While football fans might want Buckner on the field, the choice should be his.
He has been cleared for practice after initially being placed on injured reserve. He practiced ahead of Week 15's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and he is practicing again ahead of Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers. He wants to play, but not only for himself, but because he has always been a terrific teammate.
George Kittle remains a big fan of Indianapolis Colts star DeForest Buckner
49ers tight end George Kittle confirmed as much after one 49ers practice ahead of his team's Monday Night Football matchup against the Colts. Kittle, or anyone else answering a question about a former teammate, could have simply said that he wishes Buckner well. Kittle didn't.
His answer was something that Indianapolis Colts fans can attest to over the last six seasons that Buckner has been in Indy. In other words, while Kittle hasn't played with the Indianapolis defensive lineman, the positive impression that Buckner made on the tight end is everlasting.
Kittle told reporters, "DeFo is one of my favorite teammates I've ever played with. What an inspirational guy to go to work with every single day. And he's explosive, fast, long arms. He's a freak of nature. Huge fan of DeFo. This will be his first game back, so he's going to be feeling good. He's probably going to want to do really, really good against the 49ers, him and Samson (Ebukam). So hopefully he stays on the inside, and I don't have to deal with him."
Colts fans likely believe in everything Kittle said, but might have to only hope for part of it. Indianapolis has yet to activate Buckner for a game since he returned from IR, and they might not for Week 16. He has practiced, of course, but how his neck injury could be life-altering or how much of a risk exists for him to be further injured is unknown.
Unfortunately, the Indianapolis Colts can use every potential healthy body against the San Francisco 49ers. Indy's playoff hopes are slipping away, and the team must find a way to win in its final three games. Losing in primetime to a good 49ers team would be forgivable, but there are no moral victories in the NFL.