The Indianapolis Colts received promising news about cornerback Sauce Gardner, who suffered an injury in Sunday’s loss to the Houston Texans.
Sauce Gardner Injury Update
#Colts CB Sauce Gardner on his injury: “I think it’s a (calf) strain.”
On if he feared the worst: “Not for real. Felt like I got like shot in the calf or something. But it was like high (in my calf). … I don’t think it’s the Achilles or nothing like that.” | @TheAthleticNFL pic.twitter.com/aBF6lPkWTy
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) November 30, 2025
Gardner and the Colts dodged a major bullet.
Head coach Shane Steichen said Monday that Gardner suffered a calf injury, but more importantly, his Achilles tendon is intact. Gardner will “miss some time,” but he will not be placed on injured reserve.
“His Achilles is good to go, but he’ll probably miss some time,” Steichen said of Gardner via Colts YouTube. “How much time? I do not know at the moment.”
If placed on injured reserve, Gardner would then have to miss at least four games. By remaining on the roster, Gardner can return when fully healthy.
Gardner injured his calf on the first defensive series of the 20-16 loss to the Texans. The All-Pro cornerback left the game and did not return. He later returned to the sidelines on crutches.
After the game, Gardner said he felt like he got “shot in the calf.”
Luckily for Gardner, he avoided a major injury and can return this season.
The Colts acquired Gardner in a blockbuster trade right before the deadline. The Colts traded two first-round picks and wide receiver AD Mitchell to the Jets in exchange for Gardner.
Gardner is widely considered one of the five best cornerbacks in the NFL. Gardner earned two First-Team All-Pro selections and two Pro Bowls.
Charvarius Ward will become the Colts’ top cornerback in Gardner’s absence.
Colts Hoping to Make Playoff Push
#Colts CB Sauce Gardner on his injury: “I think it’s a (calf) strain.”
On if he feared the worst: “Not for real. Felt like I got like shot in the calf or something. But it was like high (in my calf). … I don’t think it’s the Achilles or nothing like that.” | @TheAthleticNFL pic.twitter.com/aBF6lPkWTy
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) November 30, 2025
It’s been a dream start for the Indianapolis Colts, who are 8-4. If the season ended today, the Colts would qualify for the postseason as a wild card in the No. 6 seed.
However, the Colts have lost two straight games to the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, two teams on the outside looking in for the postseason.
Daniel Jones has been a revelation at quarterback, but Sunday’s game proved to be too tall a task to overcome. Jones is reportedly playing with a fractured fibula, which severely limits his running ability.
The passing numbers were fine in the loss — 14 of 27 for 201 yards and two touchdowns. However, Jones rushed for only one yard on one carry, proving the fibula is an issue.
The Colts are now in second place in the AFC South behind the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Colts’ final five games:
- at Jacksonville Jaguars
- at Seattle Seahawks
- vs. San Francisco 49ers
- vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
- at Houston Texans
