The Colts are heading into a massive Monday Night Football showdown with the 49ers, and Thursday’s injury report gave us a clearer picture of where things stand for some key players. Let’s break it all down.
DeForest Buckner Trending in the Right Direction
One of the biggest developments is the return of defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to full practice. Buckner’s been sidelined with a neck injury that landed him on injured reserve, but after a week of limited work last week, he’s now ramped things up.
A full practice is a strong sign he’s trending toward being available against his former team - and that could be huge. Buckner is the anchor of this Colts defensive front, and his presence in the trenches would be a major boost against a physical 49ers offense.
Sauce Gardner Still Sidelined
On the flip side, cornerback Sauce Gardner didn’t practice Thursday as he continues to recover from a calf injury that’s been labeled week to week. There’s no sugarcoating it - Gardner’s absence would be felt, especially against a 49ers team that can stretch the field and punish secondaries. Right now, he looks unlikely to suit up this week, and the Colts may need to lean on their depth in the defensive backfield once again.
Alec Pierce Limited, But Not a Major Concern
Wide receiver Alec Pierce was a limited participant due to an Achilles issue, but early indications suggest this was more precautionary than anything alarming. Colts insiders have downplayed the severity, and unless there’s a setback, there’s optimism that Pierce will be ready for Monday night. Still, anytime you see “Achilles” next to a player’s name, it’s worth keeping an eye on - especially for a receiver who relies on burst and suddenness.
Bernhard Raimann Held Out After Elbow Injury
Left tackle Bernhard Raimann didn’t practice after injuring his elbow during last week’s game against Seattle. He briefly returned to the sideline but never got back into the action, and on Thursday, he was limited to a spectator role.
That’s not ideal, especially with San Francisco’s pass rush looming. Raimann has been a steady presence on the blind side, and his availability - or lack thereof - will be a key storyline to monitor throughout the week.
Anthony Richardson Returns to Practice
There was some encouraging news on the quarterback front, as Anthony Richardson returned to the practice field. He was limited, but this marks a significant step in his recovery from a broken orbital bone near his eye.
The Colts officially opened his 21-day practice window from injured reserve, and while there’s no guarantee he suits up Monday, just seeing him back out there is a positive development. Richardson’s dynamic playmaking ability gives this offense another gear when he’s healthy.
Josh Downs, Germaine Pratt Absent for Personal Reasons
Wide receiver Josh Downs and linebacker Germaine Pratt both missed Thursday’s session due to personal reasons. No injury concerns here, but their statuses are still worth noting as the week progresses. Hopefully everything is okay, and they’ll be able to rejoin the team soon.
As it stands, the Colts are getting healthier in some key spots, but they’ve still got some major question marks heading into a prime-time clash with one of the NFC’s toughest teams. Buckner’s return could be a game-changer in the trenches, but Gardner’s absence looms large. Add in the uncertainty around Raimann and the cautious approach with Pierce, and this week’s injury report is as much about who’s trending up as it is about who’s still in the shadows.
Plenty to track over the next few days - and plenty riding on who’s ready to go when the lights come on Monday night.