Overview
- Indianapolis landed Gardner at the trade deadline in a deal reported as two first-round picks plus WR AD Mitchell, a move ownership helped greenlight.
- With only a few days to learn the scheme and early practices in concussion protocol, Gardner posted six tackles and a pass breakup in Berlin, allowing two catches on four targets for 26 yards in a 31-25 OT win.
- Gardner said Anarumo’s guidance to focus on his game reset his mindset after a whirlwind week of travel and installation.
- Kenny Moore II helped accelerate Gardner’s acclimation, praising how the newcomer kept the full game plan intact and raised the room’s standard.
- Charvarius Ward remains on IR with concussion issues but is eligible to have his practice window opened this week and could play against the Chiefs, while DeForest Buckner is also on IR and a fully healthy trio is viewed as roughly a month away.