DeForest Buckner is expected to suit up for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs, a welcome bit of news for a team that badly needs a win.
Buckner missed Friday’s practice, but the latest update points to him being available on Sunday Night Football. That matters for a Colts defense that has already had to manage a neck issue with the veteran lineman, an injury that has lingered since he was hurt in 2025.
The 32-year-old has built a long, durable career, but the recent injury stretch is hard to ignore. Before 2024, Buckner had missed only two games in total over more than 10 seasons. Since then, he has missed 12 games, including seven last year.
Even with that backdrop, Buckner remains a key piece. He was mostly solid in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens, finishing with a half-sack and a quarterback hit while the defense struggled overall. The Colts will need more of that impact against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
The neck issue also raises bigger-picture questions. Buckner’s current contract runs out after this season, and the piece of the puzzle now is keeping him on the field as much as possible. The article notes he could decide that 2026 is his final season.
On the other side, Kansas City is expected to have Chris Jones available despite a calf injury. Jones was listed as questionable, but should play. He was active in Week 1, though he finished with just one tackle and little impact, and the Colts will be hoping for a similarly quiet night from the three-time All-Pro.
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Warren pointed to missed opportunities as the area that stood out most, and it was hard to argue with him. Indianapolis had trouble on third downs and inside the red zone, the kind of issues that can turn a competitive game into a frustrating loss in a hurry. For a team that wants to show growth early, cleaning up those details will matter just as much as the final score. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Already Made One Defensive Change After Week 1 Breakdown
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One immediate change has already been made in the secondary, with the green dot removed from DB Cam Bynum as the Colts try to clean things up back there. The shift is aimed at getting everyone on the same page faster, a reminder that early-season fixes sometimes start with something as basic as getting lined up correctly before the snap. [Read more 🡒]