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11:01The Cleveland Browns 2026 Season Preview
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1:51Deforest Buckner Returns For Colts Defense
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8:44Breaking Down the AFC South Offseason Checklist
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1:39Fernando Mendoza Era Begins for the Las Vegas Raiders
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1:36Can Bo Nix Make the Broncos a Super Bowl Contender?
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1:43Why the Texans Could Win Super Bowl LXI
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8:57Top 10 Offensive Prospects For 2027 NFL Draft
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1:22Jeremiah Smith: No. 1 Offensive Prospect for 2027 Draft
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10:56Best Landing Spots for Top NFL Free Agents
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1:58Rookie Quarterbacks Who Could Start Week 1: Fernando Mendoza
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9:39JP Acosta Breaks Down 2026's Instant Impact Rookies
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1:39Colts' Instant Impact Rookie: 7th-Rounder Deion Burks
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11:13Biggest Questions Facing the AFC South Post-Draft
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1:56Who Takes the 2026 AFC North: Ravens or Bengals?
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1:57Who Will Win the 2026 AFC West Division?
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1:28What's Next for Colts QB Anthony Richardson?
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11:21What's Next For 2026 NFL Season?
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1:26What's Next For 2026 NFL Season: Aaron Rodgers Signs With Steelers
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1:572026 NFL Draft Grades: Indianapolis Colts
2025 Defensive
| STATS |
CMB
Total Tackles
|
SCK
Sacks
|
FUM
Forced Fumbles
|
INT
Interceptions
|
TD
Interceptions Returned For Touchdown
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 47 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Top DeForest Buckner News
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Could return during training camp
The Colts are targeting a return to football activities during training camp in July for Buckner (neck), JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports.
Following a one-game return in Week 16 versus the 49ers, Buckner underwent surgery to address a neck injury he sustained in Week 9 at Pittsburgh last season. Per general manager Chris Ballard, Buckner is now in a good spot, and there's hope he'll be able to practice when training camp starts up in Indianapolis this summer. If available, he projects to play a major role on the interior of the Colts' defensive line in 2026.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Season marred by neck injury
Buckner (IR, neck) recorded 47 tackles (30 solo), including 4.0 sacks, in 10 regular-season games with Indianapolis in 2025.
Buckner missed just two combined games in his first eight seasons as a pro, but he has now sat out 12 games over the past two years. In 2025, it was a neck issue that forced him to miss seven of the Colts' last eight games. He was on pace for 75-plus tackles and at least 7.0 sacks before that point though, so there's reason to suspect he could rebound in 2026. He has one year left on his contract with Indianapolis going into his age-32 season.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Officially placed on IR
The Colts placed Buckner (neck) on injured reserve Saturday.
Head coach Shane Steichen said on Friday that Buckner, who had just returned from a stint on IR in Week 16, aggravated his neck injury and will undergo a procedure in Week 18, per Amanda Foster of the team's official site. He initially injured his neck in Week 9. The veteran defensive tackle will be eligible to return from IR in late January if the Colts advance far enough into the playoffs, though it's unclear whether his recovery timetable would allow for that, plus the team has only a very slim chance of sneaking into the postseason.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Heading to IR
Buckner (neck) will be placed on season-ending injured reserve after aggravating a herniated disc in his neck during the Week 16 loss to the 49ers, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.
The 31-year-old returned from a five-game absence in the Week 16 loss and recorded five total tackles across 44 defensive snaps. However, it now appears he aggravated his neck issue and will miss the remainder of the season. Across 10 appearances in 2025, Buckner tallied 47 total tackles, including 4.0 sacks. Grover Stewart and Neville Gallimore will likely operate as the Colts' top interior defensive linemen while Buckner is out.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: DNP to open week
Buckner (neck) was listed as a DNP on Wednesday's estimated practice report.
Buckner was activated from injured reserve ahead of the Colts' MNF contest against the 49ers, when he logged five tackles (four solo) while playing 44 of 66 defensive snaps (66.7 percent). He'll likely have his practice reps limited to ensure he doesn't aggravate the neck injury that caused him to land on IR in early November. Friday's practice report will shed light on Buckner's chances of playing in Sunday's AFC South tilt against the Jaguars.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Returning for Monday night
Buckner (neck) was activated off the injured reserve list and will play in Monday night's matchup against the 49ers.
The 31-year-old opened the Colts' week of practice with consecutive full sessions and was originally listed as questionable for Monday night's contest. However, his questionable designation has since been removed, and he'll make his first appearance since the Week 9 loss to the Steelers. Now fully healthy, Buckner is expected to play as the Colts' top interior defensive lineman during the Week 16 matchup.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Officially questionable for Monday
Buckner (neck) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the 49ers.
Buckner began Week 16 with two consecutive full practices, but he was a non-participant during Saturday's session. In order to suit up Monday, he will first need to be activated from IR by Indianapolis. Head coach Shane Steichen has stated that he expects Buckner to be available for Monday night's matchup.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Likely returning for Week 16
Head coach Shane Steichen told reporters Saturday that Buckner (neck) is expected to be activated off the injured reserve list in time to play in Monday's matchup against the 49ers, Amanda Foster of the Colts' official site reports.
Although Buckner has not been activated from IR yet, he's expected to return for the Colts' Week 16 contest. The 31-year-old is a crucial part of Indianapolis' defensive front, recording 42 total tackles, including 4.0 sacks, in just nine appearances this season. If active as expected for Monday night's matchup, Buckner will likely start alongside Grover Stewart on the Colts' defensive line.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-7, 295 lbs |
| Birthplace: Waianae, HI |
| Age: 32 |
| School: Oregon |
| Experience: 11 |