The Indianapolis Colts placed Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on injured reserve Tuesday after he was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain.
Buckner, 30, was carried off on a stretcher during the third quarter of the Colts’ 16-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday after Packers running back Emmanuel Wilson fell on Buckner’s ankle, causing it to bend awkwardly.
The veteran’s tenacity has meant he has missed just two games due to injury in his nine-year career, but due to league rules he will miss at least four games, with the earliest he can return being on Oct. 20 against the Miami Dolphins.
Buckner has recorded 1.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss in two games, one as a start, and has 62.5 sacks in his career with the San Francisco 49ers (2016-19) and Colts. He has started 126 of his 131 games and was selected to the Pro Bowl three times, including as a first-team All-Pro in 2020.
Buckner signed a two-year contract extension with the Colts in April that takes effect next season. He is in the final year of a four-year, $84 million contract.
The Colts added defensive end Jenard Avery to the active roster on Tuesday. Avery missed all of last season after undergoing meniscus surgery on his left knee following a preseason injury. Avery has appeared in 62 career games (17 starts) with the Cleveland Browns (2018-19), Philadelphia Eagles (2019-21) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2022), recording 106 tackles, 29 quarterback hits and 8.5 sacks.
Other moves the Colts made on Tuesday included signing defensive tackle Adam Gossis, cornerback Gregory Jr. and defensive end Titus Leo to the practice squad and releasing defensive tackle McTelvin Aguim and cornerback Amir Speed ​​from the practice squad.
The Colts (0-2) next play against the Chicago Bears (1-1) on Sunday in Indianapolis.
–Field Level Media
