The Indianapolis Colts made the most surprising move of the NFL trade deadline, acquiring star corner Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets. Just three games into his tenure with the Colts, Gardner is dealing with an injury.
The 25-year-old corner left Sunday’s 20-16 loss to the Houston Texans after just three plays with a calf injury. An MRI on Monday confirmed Gardner did not injure his Achilles. He’s reportedly considered week-to-week with a calf strain and hopes to return before the end of the regular season, per NFL Network.
Gardner was injured while trying to cover Texans tight end Cade Stover. During the play, Gardner started limping on the field. It was unclear when he suffered the injury during the play.
He laid on the field after the play and needed help walking off. Gardner initially went into the blue medical tent on the sideline before limping to the Colts’ locker room. The Colts originally deemed him questionable to return.
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That changed at the start of the second quarter. When the broadcast came back from a commercial break, Gardner was on the sideline in street clothes with a walking boot on his left foot. Gardner was later spotted using crutches to get around on the sideline.
The Colts ruled him out for the rest of the contest.
Gardner: ‘I think it’s a strain’
After the contest, Gardner told reporters that he think’s he’s dealing with a calf strain and not an Achilles injury.
“I think it’s a strain,” Gardner said. “Felt like I got shot in the calf. But it was, like high. … I don’t think it’s, like, an Achilles.”
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Gardner was then asked to clarify if he avoided an Achilles injury.
“I wouldn’t just say, like avoid,” Gardner said. … “I don’t think that’s what it is.”
Gardner confirmed that he was scheduled to undergo further diagnostic testing of the injury.
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Since entering the NFL in 2022, Gardner has proven to be one of the best corners in the league. He won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and was a first-team All-Pro. Gardner’s strong play continued in his second season, as he once again was a First-team All-Pro.
Gardner turned in yet another solid year in 2024 and was out to a strong start with the Jets before his shocking trade to the Colts at the deadline.
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Prior to 2025, Gardner has been a durable player, missing just three games in his first three seasons.
The Colts were also out to a strong start this season before the Texans halted that momentum in Week 13. The team’s defense limited Daniel Jones to a completion percentage barely over 50 percent and held Jonathan Taylor roughly in check to pick up the narrow win.
The win gives the Texans three straight victories, and puts the team in the playoff hunt. The Colts are still in solid playoff position following the loss, but look more vulnerable than ever depending on how long Gardner is sidelined with the injury.
