Colts Reportedly Avoid Major Injury to Sauce Gardner in Crucial AFC South Loss to Texans

The Indianapolis Colts were worried they had lost more than just a crucial divisional contest against AFC South foes Houston Texans. In the 20-16 loss, new defensive back Sauce Gardner went down on the second snap of the day and gave serious scare to a major injury, which reportedly looks to be avoided for the Colts. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, there is “optimism” that Gardner’s calf strain is not thought to be a major injury, though more tests will be done on the DB Indianapolis freshly traded for from the New York Jets.

Gardner was tended to on the field after he hobbled on one foot to the ground following the play in coverage where he appeared to suffer the injury on his break out of his backpedal. He went to the blue medical tent and later the locker room and was quickly ruled out. He was replaced by Mekhi Blackmon in Sunday’s loss. Gardner has already racked up 13 tackles and two pass breakups since the Colts traded for him at the Nov. 4 deadline.

Here is the full story from Colts Roundtable writer Jake Arthur on the reported prognosis for Gardner.

There's Reportedly 'Optimism' Colts' Sauce Gardner Avoided Major Injury Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner left Sunday's game vs. the Houston Texans early with a calf injury, but there is reportedly optimism that he avoided a significant injury.

While that seems to be positive news overall, it came in a critical loss for Indianapolis after a hot start that has fizzled out and persisted through November. The struggling squad has lost three of their last four games this month, and the once-AFC South favorites now have put their hopes in jeopardy.

An 8-1 start has seen them fall to 8-4 and lose their division lead over the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are now tied with them in the standings. The teams have yet to play each other this season, giving the Colts a chance to get right, but they now have a 7-5 Houston squad fresh on their heels.