Stampede Blue
Indianapolis Colts starting cornerback Sauce Gardner has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday’s home game against the Houston Texans after suffering a calf injury:
Gardner suffered the non-contact injury early in the first quarter and was seen gingerly leaving the field with the help of the Colts training staff and was supported to the locker room.
While he was initially listed as ‘questionable,’ Gardner was quickly downgraded to out and was later seen in street clothes in a walking boot along the Colts sidelines, which assuredly meant his day was done prematurely.
After recently being acquired at this year’s NFL trade deadline from the New York Jets for two future first round picks and wideout AD Mitchell, the former 2x NFL First-Team All-Pro has started three games for Indianapolis, recording 13 tackles (11 solo) and 2 passes defensed.
The hope for Indianapolis is that Gardner has avoided a long-term injury, and it’s merely a calf strain as reported.
Former starting cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, who’s started 7 games for Indianapolis this season, replaced Gardner within the first-team Colts defense. Backup Jaylon Jones could also get some added reps rotationally.
It obviously is a big blow to the Colts man-to-man defense, especially against the likes of Texans wideout Nico Collins. If there’s encouraging news, it’s that fellow former NFL All-Pro cornerback Charvarius Ward is back out there for the Indianapolis secondary—similar to last weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs.
