Stampede Blue
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Indianapolis Colts former NFL All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner will not currently be placed on injured reserve with the calf strain he suffered during last Sunday’s home loss to the Houston Texans:
Not only did Gardner seemingly avoid a long-term injury this year, such as a torn Achilles (which was initially feared at first glance), but the Colts are also holding out realistic hope that he may be able to return within a four week timeline. Otherwise, for roster flexibility purposes, Indianapolis may have elected to simply place him on injured reserve outright for the extra roster spot during the interim period of time that he’s out.
That being said, Indianapolis will likely be extra cautious with its new All-Pro cornerback to avoid a complication that could lead to a more serious lower leg injury (similar to what happened with Indiana Pacers All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, who tragically suffered a torn Achilles in-game).
Gardner suffered the non-contact injury early in the first quarter of last Sunday’s loss. He was seen gingerly walking off the field, only to helped to the Colts locker room by members of the Indianapolis training staff. While he was initially designated as ‘questionable’ with a calf injury, he was quickly downgraded to ‘out.’ Gardner was later seen during the game along the Colts sidelines with a walking boot, but in good spirits with his teammates.
After being recently 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 the last three games for Indianapolis, recording 13 tackles (11 solo) and 2 passes defensed.
His immediate loss is obviously a big one for the revamped Colts secondary over the next few weeks, especially regarding his elite prowess in man-to-man coverage, as when fully healthy and truly going right, Gardner is one of the stickiest cornerbacks in all of football—if not the stickiest.
The Colts have upcoming matchups against Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks) among potential opposing WR1s over the next few weeks.
In Gardner’s short-term absence, Mekhi Blackmon is the projected starter opposite veteran Charvarius Ward along the outside, while backup Jaylon Jones could also fill in rotationally—or should further injury arise.
