DeForest Buckner Returns to Practice After Neck Injury: “I’m Going to Go Until I Have No Regrets”
The Colts got a much-needed boost this week as All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner returned to the practice field, opening the door for a potential return to game action after a four-game stint on injured reserve. Whether he’ll be ready to suit up against Seattle on Sunday remains to be seen, but just seeing No. 99 back in pads is a big win for Indianapolis.
Buckner’s absence wasn’t just about missing a key piece on the defensive front - it was about losing the emotional and physical anchor of the Colts’ defense. The 6-foot-7 lineman had been sidelined with a herniated disc in his neck that compressed a nerve and caused a loss of strength on the left side of his body. At one point, there was real concern inside the building that he might not return at all this season.
But if you know anything about Buckner, you know he wasn’t going to let this go without a fight.
A Hit That Changed Everything
The injury happened late in the first half of a game in Pittsburgh. Buckner took a hit and immediately felt the familiar jolt - a stinger, or so he thought - shoot down the left side of his body.
It wasn’t the first time he’d felt it, and like he’s done before, he powered through. He passed all the initial evaluations, including concussion and strength tests, and played the entire second half.
But something didn’t feel right.
By midweek, the red flags were waving. Buckner showed up for a Wednesday morning lift and couldn’t even do a push-up. That’s when the scans came back and revealed the herniated disc pressing on a nerve - the kind of injury that doesn’t just go away with ice and rest.
A Trip to Panama, and a Familiar Path
With surgery looming as a worst-case scenario, Buckner opted for a different route - one he’d taken before. As the Colts flew to Germany for their next game, Buckner boarded a plane to Panama to receive stem cell injections, a treatment he’d previously used to recover from a high ankle sprain last season.
That first trip convinced him. This time, it was a no-brainer.
“A lot of my former teammates from the 49ers, they’ve been going for years,” Buckner said. “I was always kind of skeptical about it but last year, Chris (Ballard) was talking about it and everything, and when I got hurt last year, I was like, ‘Well, I guess I’ll try Panama.’ … When I went there, it was one of those things where I wished I’d started going earlier on.”
That ankle injury kept him out for five games last season, but the stem cell treatment helped him beat his expected recovery timeline. Now, faced with something far more serious, Buckner once again turned to the same process - and again, he started checking off recovery milestones faster than expected.
A Leader on the Mend
Colts head coach Shane Steichen had initially been cautious when discussing Buckner’s outlook, using words like “hopefully” when asked about a return. But as Buckner progressed post-treatment, the tone began to shift.
Week after week, he was hitting benchmarks. The strength was coming back.
The symptoms were fading. And now, he’s back on the practice field, within the 21-day activation window.
“I’ve been very fortunate and lucky with the doctors out there,” Buckner said. “To get me out there quick, on a last-minute notice within the week and get the injections that I needed. I feel like it was a vital part of my recovery.”
Still, there are no guarantees. Buckner doesn’t know if this is a one-time fix or something he’ll have to manage moving forward. At 31, with 10 seasons and 150 games under his belt, he’s fully aware of the wear and tear his body has endured.
“I’m on the tail end of my career,” he said. “I don’t know how many snaps I have left.
… I’m in a spot where 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.”
The Colts Need Him - and He Knows It
With the Colts still clinging to playoff hopes in a season riddled with injuries, especially at quarterback, Buckner’s presence could be a stabilizing force down the stretch. His return doesn’t just bolster the defensive line - it brings leadership, toughness, and a sense of urgency to a team still fighting for something.
“There’s always some risk of injury,” Buckner acknowledged. “But they said if I get my strength back and the symptoms are dying down, then it’s kind of naturally healing itself. I’ll probably still have something minor, but it’s better than surgery.”
That’s the gamble Buckner’s taking - betting on his body, on science, and on his will to finish this season on his terms.
“It was definitely challenging day-by-day, especially early on when I didn't know if I was going to get my strength back or not,” he said. “It was a process, but I got to a spot where I was consistently getting strength, and obviously that was encouraging and brought a lot more confidence. ... I'm here today, and I mean, I had the opportunity to go back on the field yesterday.”
What Comes Next
Whether Buckner is cleared to play against Seattle or not, the fact that he’s back in the mix is a major development for a Colts team that’s had to weather more than its fair share of adversity. And for Buckner, it’s another chapter in a career defined by grit, professionalism, and an unwavering drive to compete.
He’s not thinking about the end - not yet. But he’s honest about where he is.
And if this is the final stretch of his career, he’s determined to make every snap count.
“I’m doing whatever I can to be out there on the field,” Buckner said.
The Colts - and their fans - are hoping that moment comes sooner rather than later.