ClutchPoints
The Indianapolis Colts are already eliminated from the playoffs this season, as the back half of the regular season has been turmoil for this franchise. With just one more game on the schedule, it appears Sauce Gardner will not play in Week 18, which means his season is effectively over.
Gardner, who is 25 years old, is ruled out with a calf injury, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The star cornerback will not be available for the Colts when they take on the Houston Texans in the season finale. Tight end Will Mallory is also ruled out with a lung issue.
“Colts ruled out CB Sauce Gardner (calf) and TE Will Mallory (lung) for Sunday’s game vs. the Texans.”
The two-time First-Team All-Pro had arguably the worst season of his career this year. He managed to play in only 11 games (seven with the New York Jets and four with the Colts) and failed to force a single turnover. Sauce Gardner ends the 2025-26 campaign with 36 combined tackles (29 solo) and nine pass deflections.
Indy traded for Gardner ahead of the deadline with the Jets as a way to improve the secondary for this season and beyond. The front office dealt away two first-round picks (2026 and 2027) along with wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. It was an all-in move, as the Colts acquired a top cornerback in the league to help with the playoff push.
However, that was all for nothing. After quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, the team was forced to sign 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers, who hadn’t played a snap in nearly five years. The Colts have suffered six straight losses as they enter Week 18.
The post Colts CB Sauce Gardner will miss Week 18 with calf injury, ending his season appeared first on ClutchPoints.
