Stephen HolderNov 7, 2025, 12:25 PM ET
- Stephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and NFL at large. Stephen finished first place in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition, and he is a previous top-10 winner in explanatory journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest. He has chronicled the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2013 and the Colts since 2013. He has previously worked for the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.
BERLIN -- The Indianapolis Colts landed in Germany without their most disruptive defensive player, and it turns out they will be without him for a while.
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will be placed on injured reserve because of a neck injury, coach Shane Steichen said Friday after the team's practice at Berlin's Olympiapark.
"He's as tough as they get," Steichen said.
The Colts are hopeful Buckner can return at some point, but his absence will be a blow to the defense for however long he is out. Buckner leads the Colts with 20 pressures despite facing double-teams on 64.2% of his pass-rush snaps.
Said safety Cam Bynum: "That's tough. Buck is obviously one of the best in the league at his position and one of our leaders on this defense. But it's the next man up. And I know that Buck is going to do everything he can to get back healthy and take care of his body."
The Colts are dealing with an assortment of defensive injuries ahead of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. They will also be without defensive ends Tyquan Lewis (groin) and Samson Ebukam (knee).
But those developments are somewhat offset by the addition of cornerback Sauce Gardner, who will make his Colts debut against the Falcons after Tuesday's blockbuster trade with the New York Jets.
