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Buckner (neck) has been cleared to practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Per Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis, Buckner, who had surgery Dec. 31 on a herniated disc in his neck, is likely to be eased back in to the mix as training camp progresses. Now that he's been cleared to return to the field, the 32-year-old, who is coming off a 2025 regular season in which he recorded 47 tackles and 4.0 sacks in 10 games, is set to reprise his starting defensive tackle role for the Colts.
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Colts' DeForest Buckner: Could return during training camp
Rotowire
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.
Colts' DeForest Buckner: Season marred by neck injury
Rotowire
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.
