The Indianapolis Colts cannot catch a break. The team has dealt with injuries, especially defensive injuries, all season. The issue was partly going to be fixed by the trade deadline addition of former All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner, but that hope might be in danger now, too.
On the first Houston Texans drive of Week 13, Gardner was playing coverage and came up limping. He wasn't hit by another player, so the problem appeared to be a soft tissue issue, but those can be even worse. The cornerback went down to the ground and was eventually helped off while not putting any weight on his leg.
The cornerback entered the blue medical tent, exited, and limped toward the locker room. The team initially listed him as questionable, but from first glance, it appeared he would not be returning soon.
Sauce Gardner goes down with an injury in Week 13 for the Indianapolis Colts
The Colts simply have nothing but bad luck in terms of injuries. Fellow star cornerback Charvarius Ward has already missed significant time with two different concussions. Defensive lineman DeForest Buckner is out and on injured reserve with a neck injury.
One might wonder how Lou Anarumo's defense would look if it ever got fully healthy. That seems unlikely to happen, however. Ward has returned, but Buckner might be out for some time. Based on how Gardner looked after initially going down, there might be no timeline for his return.
Head coach Shane Steichen is notorious for not giving much information on injuries. Quarterback Daniel Jones has been reported to have a fractured fibula, but when the head coach was asked about the problem ahead of Week 13, he would not confirm the report. Jones practiced and hasn't missed game time, but is clearly affected by the injury.
The hope for Sauce Gardner is that he suffered a bad cramp or maybe a minor pull. Indy's upcoming schedule isn't easy, especially with a Week 15 matchup with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15, and the cornerback will be needed. Ultimately, let's hope the injury isn't too bad.
Update: The Colts later ruled Gardner officially out for the game, and he returned to the sideline in a walking boot.