Buckner Back?
 

Just saw on Colts FB page D-Buck is practicing? Think he will play Sunday?

He will play

3 weeks too late. Not that is matters now without a QB.

https://x.com/mchappell51/status/1999142584560627959

Looks like we'll have to wait another week to see Buckner:

https://x.com/JoelAErickson/status/1999538831146491939

If I were a betting man, I would guess that the Colts will hold everyone off the field they can for SEA since that is going to be a rough go regardless of our roster and hope that we can have a chance to win against the 49ers, Jax and Hou to finish the season.

o


Indianapolis Colts


Will DeForest Buckner be ready for Week 1 ???


Buckner, acquired via a trade with the San Francisco 49ers in March of 2020, is arguably the Colts’ best defensive player. However, the 32-year-old underwent neck surgery near the end of last season and did not practice this spring. I spoke to Buckner at his annual kids-camp about his recovery, and he was non-committal on when he could return ...... “The goal is Week 1,” he said ...... if Buckner isn’t ready for the season-opener, or worse, if he can’t regain his All-Pro form at any point in 2026, then the Indianapolis pass-rush will suffer tremendously.


(By James Boyd)


https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...ll-teams-2026/

o

Him and Jones are huge question marks going into the season the young guys better be ready to get in there and shine

Very important player for us, just have to hope can get back to his best at some point this season.

o



The Colts’ DeForest Buckner Cleared to Practice ...... ‘It Feels Like Graduation Day’

(By James Boyd)

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/747...ing-camp-neck/



WESTFIELD, Ind. — Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner has been cleared to resume football activities, he announced Tuesday on the eve of his team’s first training camp practice. The 2-time All-Pro underwent neck surgery in December and did not practice in the spring, so his return to the field marks a significant step forward in his recovery.

“It felt like a graduation day for me personally,” said Buckner, who was officially cleared on Monday. “Getting to this point from where I started on New Year’s Eve (when I had the procedure), not being able to do a whole lot after surgery. Pretty much being in the bed, not being able to move around. I couldn’t even pick my kids up ...... it was frustrating, but I just kept my faith.”

Buckner, who is entering his 11th NFL season, appeared in a career-low 10 games last year due to a neck injury that he initially sustained against the Pittsburgh Steelers last November. He was placed on injured reserve, and missed the Colts’ next 5 games. Buckner opted to forgo surgery, and instead flew to Panama for stem-cell treatment on his neck before he returned against the San Francisco 49ers in December. In that contest, however, Buckner aggravated his neck injury and eventually opted to undergo season-ending surgery.

Buckner said in April that he had “some deep, dark thoughts” about whether he’d retire after having neck surgery. He leaned on his family and close friends for guidance before returning to the gridiron.

Buckner added that he’s advanced to “striking some things” like pop-up dummies in the lead up to training camp, but that he’ll still have a “ramp-up period” as he gets acclimated to practice.

“I haven’t had contact in the spring and everything like that,” Buckner said. “And, obviously dealing with my situation, I want to be cautious and be smart in what we do ...... but, yeah, I’m excited.”

Buckner, 32, has authored a decorated career. After being drafted No. 7 overall in 2016 by the San Francisco 49ers, he was named a Pro Bowler in 2018 and 2nd-team All-Pro in 2019. The Colts traded the 2020 No. 13 pick to the 49ers in exchange for Buckner, who’d just starred in a Super Bowl loss against the Chiefs with 1.5 sacks and 3 QB hits. He maintained his high level of play in Indianapolis, earning a 1st team-All Pro nod in 2020 and 2 more Pro Bowl selections in 2021 and 2023.

Buckner missed just one game due to injury in his first 8 NFL seasons, but his durability has taken a hit in recent years ...... in addition to the neck injury that sidelined him for 7 games last year, he missed 5 games due to a high ankle sprain in 2024.

o