Stampede Blue
According to head coach Shane Steichen, new Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner “‘elevates everyone around him’“ as “his resume speaks for itself.”
While the Colts gave up a steep price, including their next two first round picks and young wideout AD Mitchell, he’s not worried about the future as the Colts currently sit at 7-2, atop the AFC, and “got better today.”
Steichen added that his veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo “was fired up” to receive Gardner in surprising blockbuster trade deadline deal, and that the former 2x NFL First-Team All-Pro shouldn’t have much of a learning curve immediately picking up the Colts defensive scheme and playbook.
In particular, adding an elite CB1, who can even shadow the opposing team’s best wideout, and play lockdown press coverage, forces an opposing quarterback to hang onto the football (while hesitating a little longer) before throwing, which can lead to increased sacks and takeaways for the opportunistic Colts defense and his new teammates:
Somewhere, Colts pass rushers DeForest Buckner and Laiatu Latu have to be licking their chops, with Gardner’s much anticipated arrival as soon as this weekend in Berlin, Germany, against the Atlanta Falcons.
However, that will depend on whether Gardner clear’s the league’s concussion protocol. If Gardner clears it, he will play on Sunday—and is already listed as the new CB1 on the Colts updated unofficial depth chart.
Gardner wore a normal practice jersey during Wednesday’s drills, which means he could be close to a return here.
If Gardner does make his Colts debut overseas this weekend, he’ll likely be matched up against Falcons leading wideout, Drake London, who has a team-high 47 receptions for 587 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns during 7 starts in 2025.
