Colts Face Unthinkable Twist: Injury Threatens to Alter Entire Season’s Fate

Here we are, on the cusp of history—the Indianapolis Colts gearing up to face the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday in Berlin, marking the NFL’s bold leap into Germany’s capital. But amidst the excitement, there’s a shadow looming: DeForest Buckner, the colossal defensive tackle everyone feared to lose, has been sidelined due to a neck injury. How does a team recalibrate when a linchpin like Buckner—whose presence alone shifts offensive game plans—gets benched? It’s more than just an injury; it’s potentially season-changing. Let’s unpack what this means for the Colts and the ripple effects on a defense suddenly forced to rethink everything.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 19: A detailed view of a Indianapolis Colts helmet before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Inglewood, California. — (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

The Indianapolis Colts will face the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday in Berlin for the NFL’s first-ever game held in Germany’s capital city. The matchup carries added significance for Indianapolis as they prepare to play without one of their most important defensive pieces.

Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner has been placed on injured reserve following a neck injury that will sideline him for several weeks. Buckner’s absence creates a notable gap in Lou Anarumo’s defensive scheme.

The three-time Pro Bowler has been a central figure along the interior line throughout the season. His ability to command attention from opposing offensive coordinators has allowed other defenders to operate more freely in their assignments.

NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky highlighted the severity of losing Buckner during a recent discussion about the Colts’ defensive outlook moving forward.

“I think this is season-changing. This would be the one person that you could not lose on that defense, in my opinion. I think he’s the guy, from an offensive perspective, we would sit down on Monday and say, ‘What are we going to do with Buckner? How are we going to block Buckner?’ When you take Buckner and Grover Stewart, I think they’re as good a defensive tackle duo going in the NFL right now. When they’re both on the field, we’re talking less than five yards per play, 3.6 yards per rush. When one of those guys are off the field, there is a drastic difference in the performance of this defense. This is the one piece they could not lose,” Orlovsky said.

"I think this is season-changing. This would be the one person that you could not lose on that defense, in my opinion."

–@danorlovsky7 on the Colts' DeForest Buckner being placed on IR pic.twitter.com/8fKAL2jRbU

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 7, 2025

The numbers support the concerns about Buckner’s impact. Through nine games this season, he has posted 4.0 sacks, 42 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, and 33 pressures.

His pressure total ranks second among all defensive tackles across the league. Opposing offenses will likely test Indianapolis through interior rushing lanes without him anchoring the front.

Grover Stewart remains a capable presence alongside the line, but the balance shifts considerably when Buckner is unavailable. Over his nine-year career, Buckner has accumulated 71.5 sacks, 10 fumble recoveries, and 647 tackles across 150 games with the San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts.

The seventh overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by San Francisco has started 145 of those contests.

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