Pro Bowl Player DeForest Buckner Sidelined Due to Injury

Colts Grapple with Loss of Key Defensive Player

In a recent announcement, the Indianapolis Colts confirmed placing their Pro Bowl defensive tackle, DeForest Buckner, on the injured reserve list. Buckner has succumbed to a severe right high ankle sprain, presenting a significant challenge for the Colts’ defense, which is already grappling with a pitfall in their performance.

Colts’ Defense Under Pressure

This development comes as a harsh blow to the Colts’ defense, which has been struggling to contain their opponents’ rushing onslaught in their recent games. The team has conceded a staggering 474 rushing yards to the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers, resulting in the worst record in the league.

Impact of Buckner’s Absence

Buckner’s injury implies that he will have to miss a minimum of four games, marking the longest absence in his otherwise illustrious career. During his nine-year tenure, Buckner has previously missed only one match due to an injury in his rookie season with the San Francisco 49ers. Since then, he has established himself as one of the most reliable players in the NFL.

Buckner’s Invaluable Contribution

Buckner’s contributions on the field will be sorely missed by the Colts. Since 2018, only two other interior defensive linemen in the league, Aaron Donald and Chris Jones, have outperformed Buckner’s record of 53.5 sacks. Buckner has also maintained one of the highest snap counts among defensive tackles, contributing to 73.5% of the Colts’ defensive snaps since he joined the team via a trade in 2020.

Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley emphasized Buckner’s importance to the team, stating, “He’s a strong presence in that D-line room, and not only [with] the D-line but the whole defense. They look to him, they see him on the field, they have great trust in him and know that he’s going to play his tail off.”

Additional Injury Woes for the Colts

Compounding the Colts’ troubles is the loss of 2023 sack leader Samson Ebukam, who suffered an Achilles injury during training camp. He is expected to sit out for the entire season.