DeForest Buckner - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

2025 season marred by neck injury Buckner recorded 47 tackles (30 solo) including 4.0 sacks in 10 games with Indianapolis in 2025.

Impact 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 seven-plus sacks before that point, though, so there's reason to suspect he could rebound in 2026. He has one non-void season left on his contract with Indianapolis going into his age 32 season.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

DeForest Buckner uttered the unsaid about the end of his Colts career DeForest Buckner has been a great player for the Indianapolis Colts, but how soon might his playing career end?

JANUARY 11 • HORSESHOEHEROES.COM

GM Chris Ballard plans to spend offseason finding solutions to Colts late-season woes

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard skipped the excuses during his end of season news conference

JANUARY 8 • Associated Press

Colts need to start contemplating future following playoff elimination

Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen wants to stay focused on the present

DECEMBER 29, 2025 • Associated Press

Officially placed on IR The Colts placed Buckner (neck) on injured reserve Saturday.

Impact Head coach Shane Steichen said on Friday that Buckner, who had just returned from a stint on IR in Week 16, re-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 late January if the Colts advance far enough into the playoffs, though it's unclear whether his recovery timetable would allow for that.

DECEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Colts get positive Sauce Gardner update after DeForest Buckner ruled out for season The Indianapolis Colts may have lost DeForest Buckner for the season, but they are getting Sauce Gardner back for their game on Sunday.

DECEMBER 26, 2025 • HORSESHOEHEROES.COM

Colts put DT Buckner back on injured reserve with neck injury

The Indianapolis Colts have placed Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner back on injured reserve, ending his season

DECEMBER 26, 2025 • Associated Press

2-Minute Drill: DeForest Buckner injury update, Colts playoff picture & Jaguars preview On today's 2-Minute Drill, JJ Stankevitz is joined by Colts Ring of Honor WR Bill Brooks to deliver the latest injury news on DeForest Buckn...

DECEMBER 26, 2025 • COLTS.COM

Deadspin | Colts DT DeForest Buckner (neck) to have season-ending surgery Deadspin | Colts DT DeForest Buckner (neck) to have season-ending surgery

DECEMBER 26, 2025 • DEADSPIN.COM

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 Indianap...

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Colts rule out C Tanor Bortolini, WR Anthony Gould, TE Drew Ogletree, DE J.T. Tuimoloau for Week 17 game vs. Jacksonville Jaguars; DT DeForest Buckner to be placed on injured reserve The Colts will be without several key players on Sunday against the Jaguars.

DECEMBER 26, 2025 • COLTS.COM

DNP to open week Buckner (neck) was listed as a DNP on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Colts' late-season collapse puts them on cusp of missing playoffs

Philip Rivers gave the Indianapolis Colts a chance Monday night

DECEMBER 23, 2025 • Associated Press

DeForest Buckner drops the brutal truth about Colts after Week 16 loss The Indianapolis Colts suffered another loss in Week 16, and DeForest Buckner said everything that needed to be said.

DECEMBER 23, 2025 • HORSESHOEHEROES.COM

Colts activate Pro Bowl DT DeForest Buckner for a crucial Monday night game against the 49ers

Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner was activated off injured reserve and will play Monday night when the Indianapolis Colts face the San Francisco 49ers

DECEMBER 23, 2025 • Associated Press

Returning for Monday night Buckner (neck) was activated off the injured reserve list and will play in Monday night's matchup against the 49ers.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Jay Glazer gives updates on Patrick Mahomes' injury, DeForest Buckner's recovery & more | FOX NFL Kickoff

DECEMBER 21, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Officially questionable for Monday Buckner (neck) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the 49ers.

Impact 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 the he expects Buckner to be available for Monday night's matchup.

DECEMBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

2-Minute Drill: Colts injury updates before Monday night matchup vs. 49ers In today's 2-Minute Drill, Amanda Foster previews the Colts' Week 16 game against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday at Lucas Oil Stadium, pr...

DECEMBER 20, 2025 • COLTS.COM

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...

Impact 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 tackles, 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.

DECEMBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Colts rule out CB Sauce Gardner, WR Anthony Gould for Week 16 game vs. San Francisco 49ers DeForest Buckner was a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday.

DECEMBER 20, 2025 • COLTS.COM

George Kittle admits what Colts fans always believed about DeForest Buckner Indianapolis Colts star DeForest Buckner will be looking across at familiar faces in Week 16. George Kittle is appreciative.

DECEMBER 20, 2025 • HORSESHOEHEROES.COM

Practice Notebook: DeForest Buckner taking things one day at a time as he returns from neck injury Buckner was a full participant in Friday's practice, marking his second consecutive day of full participation.

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • COLTS.COM

Week 16 Locker Talk: DeForest Buckner and Jonathan Taylor DeForest Buckner and Jonathan Taylor speak with the media on Friday as the Colts prepare for Week 16 versus the San Francisco 49ers on Monda...

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • COLTS.COM

Practice Notebook: Injury updates on DeForest Buckner, Sauce Gardner, other Colts players ahead of Week 16 game San Francisco vs. 49ers Buckner (neck) was a full participant on Wednesday. Gardner (calf) did not practice.

DECEMBER 18, 2025 • COLTS.COM

DEFOREST BUCKNER NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES