The Indianapolis Colts made a splash at the NFL trade deadline, acquiring CB Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets for two first-round picks and WR AD Mitchell.
Gardner joins a Colts team that is sitting at 7-2 and in first place in the AFC North, although Indianapolis has its eyes on more than a division title. The star cornerback instantly becomes one of the best players on the team and could bring an already-strong defense up another level.
For Week 10, the Colts are headed to Germany to take on the Atlanta Falcons, but Gardner still has to clear some hurdles before joining his new team after missing his most recent contest with an injury. Here's the latest on when Gardner will make his Colts debut.
MORE WEEK 10 NFL:
Gardner playing this week?
On Thursday morning, it was announced that Gardner has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to start on Sunday against Atlanta.
Colts Sauce Gardner has cleared concussion protocol. Expected to play/start Sunday vs Falcons in Berlin.
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) November 6, 2025
Gardner last played for the Jets on October 19, when he suffered a concussion against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7. He then missed the next week against the Cincinnati Bengals before the Jets went on their bye.
Therefore, Gardner has had three weeks to recover from the concussion, although he remained in concussion protocol when he was traded from the Jets to the Colts. On Wednesday, head coach Shane Steichen said the plan is for Gardner to practice, and he will play on Sunday as long as he clearde concussion protocol.
Shane Steichen on the trade for Sauce Gardner.
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) November 5, 2025
Gardner will practice today.
If Gardner clears concussion protocol, he will play Sunday. Pic.twitter.com/lkxrhn9xBi
Gardner was on the practice field for the first time sporting his signature No. 1 on Wednesday, and with him out of protocol.
No. 1 Sauce Gardner pic.twitter.com/zKVqMxkOvu
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) November 5, 2025
The two-time All-Pro started seven games for the Jets in 2025 and has started all 55 games in which he's played since he entered the league in 2022.
MORE NFL TRADE DEADLINE:
- Full list of every deal completed on deadline day
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Colts CB roster
| CB | CB | Slot CB | |
| First-team | Sauce Gardner | Mekhi Blackmon | Kenny Moore |
| Second-team | Johnathan Edwards | Cameron Mitchell | Chris Lammons |
| Third-team | Jaylon Jones | Charvarius Ward (IR) | Justin Walley (IR) |
Gardner's arrival means either Mekhi Blackmon or Johnathan Edwards will drop out of the starting lineup. Blackmon gets the edge as he's started six games this year, while Edwards has started just three contests.
However, the expectation is bthat oth will take a step back when Charvarius Ward returns from injury. Ward has started four games for Indianapolis this year, but has been on injured reserve since suffering a concussion in the middle of October. Additionally, Jaylon Jones, a cornerback who started 17 games last year, has played in just two games this year after returning from a hamstring injury.