BERLIN — The Indianapolis Colts landed in Germany with out their most disruptive defensive participant, and it seems they are going to be with out him for some time.
Defensive deal with DeForest Buckner can be positioned on injured reserve due to a neck harm, coach Shane Steichen mentioned Friday after the crew’s observe at Berlin’s Olympiapark.
“He is as robust as they get,” Steichen mentioned.
The Colts are hopeful Buckner can return in some unspecified time in the future, however his absence can be a blow to the protection for nonetheless lengthy he’s out. Buckner leads the Colts with 20 pressures regardless of dealing with double-teams on 64.2% of his pass-rush snaps.
Stated security Cam Bynum: “That is robust. Buck is clearly top-of-the-line within the league at his place and one in all our leaders on this protection. Nevertheless it’s the subsequent man up. And I do know that Buck goes to do every little thing he can to get again wholesome and deal with his physique.”
The Colts are coping with an assortment of defensive accidents forward of Sunday’s recreation towards the Atlanta Falcons. They can even be with out defensive ends Tyquan Lewis (groin) and Samson Ebukam (knee).
However these developments are considerably offset by the addition of cornerback Sauce Gardner, who will make his Colts debut towards the Falcons after Tuesday’s blockbuster commerce with the New York Jets.