INDIANAPOLIS – DeForest Buckner’s Ironman persona has taken a hit, although the Indianapolis Colts are optimistic it’s only temporary.
The anchor of the defense will miss at least four games after being placed on the injured reserve list Tuesday.
Buckner suffered a high sprain to his right ankle in the third quarter of Sunday’s loss at Green Bay. X-rays were negative but a subsequent MRI revealed the high sprain.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the Colts are hopeful Buckner will be able to return after rehabbing the ankle sprain. Although injuries vary, a high sprain can require between 4-6 weeks to heal.
Wideout Josh Downs suffered a high ankle sprain Aug. 7 and missed the first two games. There’s a chance he returns Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
Since being selected by San Francisco with the seventh overall pick in the 2016 draft, Buckner has missed just two games: his only game because of an injury as a rookie, then 2020 game with the Colts with COVID.
His career-long availability was evident last weekend.
Buckner suffered a back injury in the final minutes of the season opener against Houston and did not practice in the days leading up to the Packers game.
He was cleared to play and on a pitch count that had reached 10 plays before he suffered the ankle injury. Buckner remained on the field in obvious pain before being helped to the sideline by two trainers. He then was taken to the locker room on a cart and left the locker room on crutches.
The Colts acquired Buckner in a trade with the Niners during the 2020 offseason, and he’s more than fulfilled expectations.
With 1.5 sacks against the Texans, he set the franchise record for sacks by a tackle (34). Buckner has had at least 7 sacks in each of his first four seasons in Indy. He’s added 43 tackles for loss and 89 quarterback hits.
That’s been part of his impact. Teammates have voted him a captain for four straight seasons.
“He means a great deal to us, right?’’ defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said Tuesday. “He's a strong presence in that d-line room, and not only the d-line, but the whole defense.
“I mean, 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.’’
With Buckner out, Raekwon Davis, Taven Bryan and Adebawore Adetomiwa are expected to carry a heavier load.
The defense has struggled mightily the first two games, allowing 474 rushing yards.
Other moves
The Colts filled Buckner’s spot on the active roster by signing defensive end Genard Avery from the practice squad.
The team also rearranged the practice squad. It signed defensive tackle Adam Gotsis, cornerback Gregory Junior and defensive end Titus Leo, and released defensive tackle McTelvin Agim and cornerback Ameer Speed.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.