Overview
- Sauce Gardner left two snaps into the Texans game with a non-contact left calf injury, was ruled out, and later appeared in a walking boot and on crutches.
- An MRI confirmed a calf strain with the Achilles unaffected, and multiple outlets reported his status as week-to-week.
- Coach Shane Steichen said Gardner will miss some time and that placing him on injured reserve is not being considered.
- Indianapolis traded two future first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell for Gardner to enable heavy man coverage, a plan that shifted as Charvarius Ward followed Nico Collins after the injury.
- The 8-4 Colts face road tests at Jacksonville and Seattle next, with Gardner’s short-term absence influencing defensive plans and playoff positioning.