The Indianapolis Colts won't have the services of one of their best defenders for at least the next four games.
According to The Athletic's Stephen Holder, defensive lineman DeForest Buckner will be placed on injured reserve, head coach Shane Steichen announced.
"Shane Steichen opens with news that DeForest Buckner is going to be placed on IR with his neck injury," Holder reported on Friday.
This means that Buckner will have to miss at least the next four games and won't be eligible to return until Week 15. It remains unclear if his IR stint will be longer than the four-game minimum.
The first sign of trouble was Buckner being ruled out on Thursday, but there was no indication at the time he would be placed on injured reserve with the neck injury he suffered in Week 9.
This will be the first game Buckner has missed this season amid what has been a strong campaign for the three-time Pro Bowler. It goes without saying he will be sorely missed.
Buckner's absence won't just be a blow to the run defense, which ranks top five in the NFL, but the pass-rush, also. Buckner tallied four sacks and 33 pressures, which ranks fourth and second, respectively, among interior defenders entering Week 10. Indianapolis currently sports a bottom-10 pass defense this season.
With Buckner sidelined, Neville Gallimore figures to get the bulk of the work, with Eric Johnson also chipping in.
More NFL News
- Will Kolton Miller play again in 2025? Latest injury update on Raiders LT
- When is Ben Powers coming back? Latest injury update on Broncos guard
- When is Pat Surtain II coming back? Latest injury update on Broncos CB
- Bengals trade rumor explains Cincinnati's mostly quiet deadline day
- Bucs trade rumors explains why Tampa Bay was inactive at deadline