Colts Might Be Dealing With ‘Season-Altering’ Damage
The Indianapolis Colts will face the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday in Berlin for the NFL’s first-ever recreation held in Germany’s capital metropolis. The matchup carries added significance for Indianapolis as they put together to play with out one among their most necessary defensive items.
Defensive sort out DeForest Buckner has been positioned on injured reserve following a neck damage that can sideline him for a number of weeks. Buckner’s absence creates a notable hole in Lou Anarumo’s defensive scheme.
The three-time Professional Bowler has been a central determine alongside the inside line all through the season. His capacity to command consideration from opposing offensive coordinators has allowed different defenders to function extra freely of their assignments.
NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky highlighted the severity of dropping Buckner throughout a latest dialogue concerning the Colts’ defensive outlook transferring ahead.
“I feel that is season-changing. This might be the one person who you might not lose on that protection, for my part. I feel he’s the man, from an offensive perspective, we’d sit down on Monday and say, ‘What are we going to do with Buckner? How are we going to dam Buckner?’ While you take Buckner and Grover Stewart, I feel they’re pretty much as good a defensive sort out duo going within the NFL proper now. After they’re each on the sphere, we’re speaking lower than 5 yards per play, 3.6 yards per rush. When a type of guys are off the sphere, there’s a drastic distinction within the efficiency of this protection. That is the one piece they may not lose,” Orlovsky mentioned.
“I feel that is season-changing. This might be the one person who you might not lose on that protection, for my part.”
–@danorlovsky7 on the Colts’ DeForest Buckner being positioned on IR pic.twitter.com/8fKAL2jRbU
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 7, 2025
The numbers help the issues about Buckner’s affect. Via 9 video games this season, he has posted 4.0 sacks, 42 complete tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, and 33 pressures.
His stress complete ranks second amongst all defensive tackles throughout the league. Opposing offenses will possible check Indianapolis by inside dashing lanes with out him anchoring the entrance.
Grover Stewart stays a succesful presence alongside the road, however the stability shifts significantly when Buckner is unavailable. Over his nine-year profession, Buckner has gathered 71.5 sacks, 10 fumble recoveries, and 647 tackles throughout 150 video games with the San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts.
The seventh general choose within the 2016 NFL Draft by San Francisco has began 145 of these contests.
NEXT: Insider Reveals What Sauce Gardner Commerce Means For Colts
