Colts' DeForest Buckner: Showing signs of progress
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Buckner is no longer using crutches and was wearing a brace on his ankle Sunday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Bucker has been on IR due to a high-ankle sprain since Sept. 17. His lack of crutches would suggest the Oregon product is making progress in his recovery and could return as soon as he's eligible to come off injured reserve, for a Week 7 matchup with the Dolphins.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Goes on IR with high-ankle sprain
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The Colts placed Buckner (ankle) on injured reserve Tuesday.
Per James Boyd of The Athletic, an MRI confirmed that Buckner sustained a right high-ankle sprain in Sunday's loss to the Packers. The defensive tackle will have to miss at least the next four games and won't be eligible to play until at least Week 7 against the Dolphins. The Colts signed defensive end Genard Avery off their practice squad to replace Buckner on the 53-man roster.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: More imaging ordered
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Buckner (ankle) will undergo an MRI after suffering a sprained ankle in Sunday's loss to the Packers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Buckner underwent an X-ray after he was carted off the field in the second half of Week 2's loss, and the test came back negative. Although the sprain is not expected to be serious, Rapoport suggests the veteran pass rusher is a long shot to play this Sunday against the Bears. More clarity about his status should come as the week unfolds and his MRI results become available.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Carted to locker room
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Buckner (ankle) is out for the rest of Sunday's game at Green Bay, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Buckner had his leg rolled up on awkwardly during the second half of Sunday's contest, and now he's been declared out for the rest of the game. Raekwon Davis should see an uptick in snaps as a result.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Officially questionable for Sunday
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Buckner (back) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Packers.
Despite not practicing all week due to a back injury sustained in Week 1, Buckner has a chance to suit up for Sunday's contest. The 30-year-old told reporters earlier in the week that he'll be a game-time decision, so his being listed as questionable comes as no surprise. If Buckner is unable to play in Week 2, expect Adetomiwa Adebawore and Raekwon Davis to see increased work with the Colts' first-team defense.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Game-time decision
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Buckner (back) did not practice Thursday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Buckner has yet to practice this week as he continues to tend to a back injury he suffered in Week 1 against the Texans. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Oregon product sit out Friday as well, in an attempt to maximize his recovery time ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers. Buckner told Boyd in the locker room that he would be a game-time decision for the matchup, and further clarity probably won't come until the team announces its inactive list about 90 minutes before the 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Hopeful for Week 2
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Head coach Shane Steichen is hopeful Buckner (back) will be able to play this Sunday against the Packers, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Buckner left late in Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Texans, recording six total tackles, including 1.5 sacks, before his exit. Any missed time for the Oregon product, whom Steichen described as "tough as nails" when discussing his potential Week 2 availability, would be a major blow for the Colts' defense. Buckner's practice status in the days ahead may help shed some light on how likely he'll be to play against Green Bay, but it is also possible he could just suit up without practicing this week.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Exits with back injury
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Buckner left Sunday's loss to Houston with a back injury and did not return, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports. He had six total tackles, 1.5 sacks and a tackle for a loss before departing.
The extent of Buckner's injury isn't clear. He was his usual disruptive force in Sunday's game, so any missed time will impact the Indy defense.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Gets two-year extension
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Buckner and the Colts agreed to terms Monday on a two-year, $46 million contract extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Buckner penned a four-year, $84 million extension with Indianapolis back in 2020, when the team traded the No. 13 overall pick in that year's draft to the 49ers in exchange for the defensive tackle, and he now inks a substantial extension to remain with the Colts through 2026. The 30-year-old tallied a career-high 81 total tackles across 17 regular-season games last season, and he's logged 8.0 sacks in back-to-back years.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: No designation for Saturday
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Buckner (back) did not practice Thursday but has no injury designation for Saturday's game against the Steelers.
Buckner hasn't missed a game since the 2020 campaign and he'll keep that streak going in Week 15, despite not logging a full practice at any point this week.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Logs limited practice Wednesday
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Buckner (back) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday.
Buckner was estimated as not practicing during Tuesday's walkthrough, but he was able to participate in a limited fashion Wednesday. The veteran has played in all 13 of the Colts' contests this season, tallying 64 tackles (36 solo), including 5.5 sacks. Buckner hasn't missed a game since the 2020 campaign, but he may get tagged with an injury designation heading into Saturday's game versus Pittsburgh if he's limited at practice again Thursday.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Gets fifth sack
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Buckner had four total tackles, including a sack and additional tackle for a loss, and two passes defensed in Sunday's win at Carolina.
Buckner also had three QB hurries, two batted passes and a QB hit according to Pro Football Focus, as he continues to be a disruptive force. He now has five sacks for the season.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Strip-sack in loss
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Buckner had three tackles (two solo), including a sack and a forced fumble, in Sunday's 38-27 loss to the Saints.
Buckner got to Derek Carr early in the second quarter and forced a fumble that was recovered by the Colts and led to a Zack Moss touchdown minutes later. Buckner is up to four sacks on the year -- tied with Samson Ebukam for the team lead -- and is well on pace to match or exceed his 2022 total of eight.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Deemed questionable
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Buckner (groin) has drawn a questionable designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Rams.
Buckner was a nonparticipant at practice all week, so his questionable status seems a little optimistic. Still, more clarity will come Sunday morning after he works with the training staff. Eric Johnson and Taven Bryan would be candidates to fill in at defensive tackle opposite Grover Stewart should he ultimately be unable to go.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Receives day off
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Buckner (undisclosed) is not practicing Wednesday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
It's unknown what injury Buckner may be dealing with, or if this is just a rest day for the veteran linebacker. The Oregan product played 79 percent of the team's defensive snaps in Week 3, which was up from his total in Week 1 and 2. His status for Thursday's practice will be worth monitoring heading into Sunday's game against the Rams.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Will play Monday
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Buckner (ribs/illness) is active for Monday night's contest against Pittsburgh.
Buckner missed the Colts' first two practices of the week due to a rib injury and an illness, but he returned to log a full session Saturday and will suit up Monday. His presence will be a boost to Indianapolis' pass rush, as he ranks second on the team with 5.5 sacks to go along with 48 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two pass defenses on the season.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Limited by elbow injury
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Buckner was limited to 19 snaps on defense in Sunday's loss to Tennessee due to an elbow injury, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports. He's considered day-to-day ahead of Thursday's game at Denver.
Buckner didn't have a tackle in Sunday's game as he had little impact on defense. It sounds like the Colts may be better off having him sit out a game and get back to full strength.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Will be questionable, per HC
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Colts head coach Frank Reich said Friday that Buckner (elbow) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans, JJ Stankevitz of the team's official site reports.
Buckner didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but he'll still have a chance to suit up Sunday. The veteran defensive end has played at least 70 percent of the team's defensive snaps in each of the first three games this season and has recorded 12 tackles (six solo). If he's ruled out, Byron Cowart and Eric Johnson would be candidates for increased roles next to Grover Stewart in the middle of the Indianapolis' defensive line.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Limited by back injury
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Buckner has been limited in training camp practices due to a back injury, head coach Frank Reich told Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star.
It doesn't sound like a serious injury but is worth monitoring as training camp progresses. Buckner played in all 17 games during the 2021 campaign, and his production remained consistent during his second season with the Colts. The 27-year-old has averaged 63.8 tackles across the last four years, and he's recorded at least seven sacks in each of those seasons.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Questionable for Sunday
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Coach Frank Reich said Friday that Buckner (knee) didn't practice this week and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Jaguars, JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports.
It's unclear when Buckner suffered the knee injury, or how severe it actually is, but the fact he hasn't been able to practice is concerning. The Colts need to beat Jacksonville on Sunday to clinch a playoff berth, so they would love to have their star defensive tackle available. Buckner has totaled 65 tackles and seven sacks across 16 appearances this season.
