The Colts are getting some much-needed reinforcements just in time for their pivotal matchup against the Jaguars - and it starts with a big name in the secondary.
Cornerback Sauce Gardner is set to return to the field on Sunday after missing the last three games with a calf injury. Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed on Friday that Gardner is expected to suit up, marking just his fourth appearance for Indianapolis since being acquired from the Jets earlier this season.
Gardner’s absence has been felt. The Colts dropped all three games he missed, and while that slide may have helped improve the first-round pick they sent to New York in the trade, it’s clear they’ve missed his presence on the back end. Gardner brings elite man coverage skills and a physical edge that can change the tone of a defense - and with the Jaguars’ passing game showing flashes of explosiveness, his return couldn’t come at a better time.
The Colts are also set to get left tackle Bernhard Raimann back in the lineup. Raimann, who’s been dealing with an elbow injury, is expected to play, giving the offensive line a boost in both pass protection and run support. His return is especially important with the Colts looking to establish consistency up front as they try to keep their playoff hopes alive.
But it’s not all good news for Indy.
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is headed back to injured reserve after aggravating a neck injury, and he’s scheduled to undergo surgery. That’s a tough blow for a Colts defense that relies heavily on Buckner’s interior disruption.
He’s not just a force against the run - his ability to collapse the pocket from the inside has been a cornerstone of this unit. Losing him for the stretch run is significant.
The injury list doesn’t stop there. Center Tanor Bortolini (concussion), wide receiver Anthony Gould (foot), tight end Drew Ogletree (neck), and defensive end JT Tuimoloau (oblique) have all been ruled out for Sunday’s game. That’s a handful of contributors across multiple position groups, and it leaves the Colts leaning on their depth in a critical divisional matchup.
With Gardner and Raimann returning, the Colts get two key starters back in the fold. But the loss of Buckner and several others underscores the balancing act this team faces as it fights to stay in the playoff picture. Sunday’s game against Jacksonville carries weight, and with postseason positioning on the line, every snap - and every healthy body - matters.