To kick off the 2024 season, the Indianapolis Colts find themselves at 0-2. Both losses have come in close games. In their Week 1 matchup at home against the Houston Texans, the Colts came up short with a 29-27 defeat, allowing 447 offensive yards to the Texans.
Facing the Packers in Week 2, the Colts’ defense struggled once again as Green Bay ran for 261 yards on 53 carries. Indianapolis’ defense has faced challenges in their first two games. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that DeForest Buckner is being placed on the IR due to a high ankle sprain, adding to the defensive woes of the team early in the 2024 season.
DeForest Buckner Sidelined with High Ankle Sprain
Following the MRI, the #Colts placed DT DeForest Buckner on IR. He’s out four games. https://t.co/NMkCXoiJrM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 17, 2024
Selected as the seventh overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2016 NFL draft out of Oregon, DeForest Buckner had a successful tenure with the Niners, starting all 63 games he played while recording 28.5 sacks and 166 solo tackles. Following the 2019 season, Buckner was traded to the Indianapolis Colts. The 30-year-old had been injury-free during his time with the 49ers but suffered an ankle sprain in 2024, leading to his placement on the IR.
Now, the Colts have announced that he will miss at least the next four games. Buckner is slated to be eligible to return in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins, which coincides with Tua Tagovailoa’s potential return for the Dolphins. With Buckner out, the Colts’ defensive line will face a significant challenge, as he had been a standout player with eight sacks in each of the last two seasons. In Week 3, the Colts will host the Chicago Bears led by Caleb Williams.
