The Colts’ DeForest Buckner is set to have his first extended injury absence since arriving in Indianapolis in 2020.
After suffering an ankle injury in Sunday’s loss to the Packers, the team placed their All-Pro defensive tackle on injured reserve on Tuesday. As a result, Buckner will miss at least four games before a possible return in week six against the Titans.
It’s a massive loss for the Colts, who lose their top defensive lineman amidst early season struggles up front. It’s the first time since being traded to the Colts that Buckner will miss time with an injury, a testament to his durability and grit to play through his ailments.
Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is already under pressure to improve the Colts’ defensive performances, and he’ll now have to find a solution without his best player.
Even with Buckner playing, the defense has struggled mightily to defend the run. Through two games, they're allowing 237 yards on the ground per game, leaving them dead last in the NFL by a large margin. Now, Bradley and his staff have a much steeper mountain to climb in searching for a solution.
“He means a great deal to us,” Bradley said on Tuesday, prior to the official decision to place Buckner on IR. “[The defense] has great trust in him and [they] know that he’s going to play his tail off.”
Buckner leaves big shoes to fill, but the Colts have plenty of interior depth behind him. Raekwon Davis, Adetomiwa Adebawore and Taven Bryan have all seen playing time in the first two weeks. Bryan, a former first-round pick of Bradley’s during his time in Jacksonville, has the most experience in the scheme and appears to be the most likely choice.
“Taven is tough-minded, does everything right…you know where you can count on from him every day…He plays at a consistent level,” Bradley said.
