DeForest Buckner: Everything you need to know

The Colts are targeting a return to football activities during training camp in July for Buckner (neck), JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports. Following a one-game return in Week 16 versus the 49ers, Buckner underwent surgery to address a neck injury he sustained in Week 9 at Pittsburgh last season. Per general manager Chris Ballard, Buckner is now in a good spot, and there's hope he'll be able to practice when training camp starts up in Indianapolis this summer. If available, he projects to play a major role on the interior of the Colts' defensive line in 2026.

Buckner recorded 47 tackles (30 solo) including 4.0 sacks in 10 games with Indianapolis in 2025. Buckner missed just two combined games in his first eight seasons as a pro, but he has now sat out 12 games over the past two years. In 2025, it was a neck issue that forced him to miss seven of the Colts' last eight games. He was on pace for 75-plus tackles and seven-plus sacks before that point though, so there's reason to suspect he could rebound in 2026. He has one year left on his contract with Indianapolis going into his age 32 season.

The Colts placed Buckner (neck) on injured reserve Saturday. Head coach Shane Steichen said on Friday that Buckner, who had just returned from a stint on IR in Week 16, aggravated his neck injury and will undergo a procedure in Week 18, per Amanda Foster of the team's official site. He initially injured his neck in Week 9. The veteran defensive tackle will be eligible to return from IR in late January if the Colts advance far enough into the playoffs, though it's unclear whether his recovery timetable would allow for that, plus the team has only a very slim chance of sneaking into the postseason.