The Indianapolis Colts will be without cornerback Sauce Gardner for the remainder of Sunday’s divisional contest against the Houston Texans.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Gardner was ruled out with a calf injury in the first half. He was also seen on the sidelines with a walking boot.
In a follow-up report, Pelissero noted it was a calf strain and not an Achilles injury:
Gardner suffered the injury when defending Texans tight end Cade Stover and gingerly left the field. The broadcast also captured him being helped to the locker room before he was officially ruled out with the calf setback.
Indianapolis made a splash ahead of the trade deadline when it acquired Gardner from the New York Jets in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
It was a signal that the front office was all-in on an impressive season, although the 8-3 Colts lost two of their previous three games entering Sunday’s contest against the Texans.
That was good enough for a one-game lead over the Jacksonville Jaguars and two-game lead over the Texans, underscoring how important each divisional contest will be the rest of the way.
Gardner figured to play a significant role in Sunday’s game against Nico Collins and the rest of the Houston wide receivers. After all, he is one of the best cornerbacks in the league with a resume that includes two First-Team All-Pro selections, two Pro Bowl nods and a Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Sunday’s game was his third with Indianapolis after he posted a combined 13 tackles and two passes defended against the Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs.
Next up for the Colts is a showdown with the Jaguars.
