Colts 'Very Optimistic' on DeForest Buckner's Return as Week 15 Eligibility Nears

The Pro Bowl tackle is rehabbing in Indianapolis following a neck injury treated with stem-cell therapy in Panama.

Overview

Buckner must miss three more games — Chiefs, Texans, Jaguars — because the Week 11 bye did not count toward the four-game IR requirement, making him eligible in Week 15 at Seattle on Dec. 14.
Head coach Shane Steichen said he is “very optimistic” Buckner will play again this season, though the team has not set a return date.
Buckner is on injured reserve after a neck injury suffered at Pittsburgh and has returned from Panama to continue rehabilitation at the Colts’ facility.
He has 4 sacks, 13 quarterback hits and 9 tackles for loss this season, reinforcing his importance to Indianapolis’ defense.
Neville Gallimore and Adetomiwa Adebawore have combined for four sacks, the most by the Colts’ primary backup defensive-tackle tandem since 2017.