DeForest Buckner is moving in the right direction at Colts training camp, and that’s the kind of update Indianapolis fans have been waiting for.
Buckner, who was limited to individual work when camp opened, took a bigger step on Friday by getting into 11-on-11 drills, according to a tweet from The Athletic’s James Boyd. That’s a notable turn for a player who dealt with a neck injury last season, suffered it in Week 9, and then played only part of one more game before having surgery on New Year’s Eve to address a herniated disc.
The Colts have been easing into camp, with the pads still to come, but Buckner’s progression suggests he’s tracking toward being available when the real thing starts. The implication from Boyd’s report was clear: Buckner would be ready to go if Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens were Sunday.
That matters because Buckner remains the engine of Indianapolis’ defensive front. He’s the best player on the Colts’ defensive line by a wide margin, and his impact stretches beyond his own play. A strong pass rush helps the entire defense, including a secondary that features Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward.
The depth behind him is shaky, too. The Colts’ backups at defensive tackle are a mix of players with limited game experience and veterans from other teams who haven’t produced much. Once you get past Buckner and Grover Stewart, the dropoff is steep.
Indianapolis might still have a path to the postseason without Buckner, but with him, the defense looks far more dangerous once it gets there. And if the Colts are thinking about what comes after 2026, Buckner staying healthy now only strengthens his case for whatever comes next.
He could be back with the Colts next offseason, or he could move on to a team with championship aspirations. Either way, proving he’s healthy will matter when the money is on the table.
For now, the important part is simple: Buckner is no longer just easing through individual drills. He’s back in 11-on-11 work, and that’s the kind of sign the Colts can build on.
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