DeForest Buckner showed up at the end of Colts training camp on Saturday night looking every bit like a player glad to be back in the thick of it. With weather forcing media availability inside, the veteran defensive tackle still brought the same bright energy, and the news out of camp was exactly what Colts fans wanted to hear: he says he’s feeling good again.
That matters because last season was anything but routine for Buckner. A herniated disc in his neck in Week 9 left him with no feeling in his upper body, and while he managed to fight his way back for a late game against the 49ers, the comeback didn’t last. Season-ending surgery followed, cutting short a year that was already headed in the wrong direction for a player who has rarely been out of action over the course of his career.
Now, heading into the 2026 season, Buckner sounds like a different man. He’s a full participant in training camp, and even if he may not appear in the preseason, he’s expected to be ready for Week 1. Buckner said that once he got popped at practice and realized he was fine, the concern was behind him.
The Colts need that version of him badly. They were a much tougher defense with Buckner in the middle, and life got a lot harder when he was out. The late-season losing streak wasn’t caused by his absence alone, but it certainly didn’t help.
At 99, Buckner brings more than size. His ability to clog lanes, absorb double teams, and lead the unit gives Indianapolis a very different look. He has already established himself as one of the most valuable outside-the-draft additions the franchise has made, and if he really is back to full strength, the Colts’ defense could make life uncomfortable for plenty of offenses this season.
In Other News...
Riley Leonard Just Made The Colts Backup Battle A Lot Tighter
The Colts preseason tie with the Patriots did little to settle the backup quarterback picture behind Daniel Jones, and the competition between Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson only looks more crowded after a 13-13 finish. Neither player separated himself in a game that mostly underscored how much Indianapolis still has to sort through before the regular season, with both quarterbacks flashing enough to stay in the conversation and enough unevenness to keep the door open.
Leonard had a rough night overall, and Richardson was hardly more convincing, as each put the ball in danger and failed to produce the kind of clean, sustained drive that might have tilted the job battle. Leonard did show a few positive signs late, but the bigger takeaway for the Colts is that this decision remains unsettled, with preseason reps now carrying even more weight for two young passers trying to make their case. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Just Brought In A Record-Setting Quarterback For A Tryout
The Colts took a closer look at a small but intriguing group of free agents in a recent tryout, bringing in five players as they continue to sort through depth options. Among them was quarterback Mark Gronowski, whose college career came with plenty of production before a brief stop with Miami ended quickly, and whose one season at Iowa only added to the sense that he is still a developmental name worth monitoring.
Indianapolis also worked out three veteran receivers in Josh Reynolds, TreQuan Smith and Equanimeous St. Brown, plus cornerback Jaylon Guilbeau, a former Texas starter. For the Colts, the mix says a lot about where roster churn can still matter this time of year, with experience on the perimeter and a young defensive back all getting a look as the team keeps evaluating who might fit into the next wave of depth moves. [Read more 🡒]
Justin Walley Is Making The Colts Cornerback Picture A Lot Harder
Justin Walley has given the Colts something to think about early in camp, and he did it in a setting where defensive backs can make a real statement. The rookie cornerback, who has not played in an NFL game yet, stood out during a training camp practice by getting his hands on two passes in the end zone, a notable flash for a player trying to climb the depth chart in a crowded secondary.
The timing matters because Indianapolis is still sorting through its cornerback options while several players were either injured or working their way back during the session. On the other side of the ball, Daniel Jones and the offense had a mixed red-zone day, finishing 7 of 13 through the air, while backups Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson also had solid moments. For a defense looking for answers, Walleys performance only makes the rotation discussion more interesting. [Read more 🡒]