Bad news is mounting for the Indianapolis Colts and, in particular, their struggling defense.
Defensive lineman DeForest Buckner is being placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury, the team announced Tuesday.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Buckner was believed to have suffered an ankle sprain and would undergo an MRI. Buckner was categorized as a long shot to play in Week 3 against the Chicago Bears, but he'll now be out for at least the next four games.
Throughout his career with the San Francisco 49ers, who selected him seventh overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, and Colts, Buckner has been a model of durability. The Colts' Week 3 game will be just the second game Buckner's missed in his career due to injury and the first since his rookie campaign. At minimum, Buckner will double his total of missed games previously in his career. A foot injury sidelined him in 2016 and he missed another game in 2020 due to COVID.
The three-time Pro Bowler is eligible to return to action in Week 7 at home against the Miami Dolphins.
Buckner, 30, has posted seven tackles and 1.5 sacks through two games this season for a Colts defense that has struggled during Indy's 0-2 start.
Indianapolis is 31st in yards allowed so far this season and will now have to make due without one of its top defenders.
