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.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indianapolis Colts got a major scare on Sunday against the Houston Texans when cornerback Sauce Gardner exited the game early in the first quarter with a non-contact calf injury, in which he could not put weight on his left leg.
The good news is there is optimism that the injury is not believed to be serious, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network:
"Colts CB Sauce Gardner is believed to have suffered a calf strain, per sources," Pelissero posted on X. "Those can be tricky injuries and he’ll have more tests. But Gardner’s Achilles appears intact, so there’s optimism he avoided a major injury."
On just the second snap of the day for the Colts' defense, Gardner dropped back in coverage and broke to follow his man before hopping around on one foot and ultimately going to the ground.
Gardner was tended to by trainers for a few moments before being helped up and then flanked by medical staff to the sideline. He was then taken into the blue medical tent for evaluation before trainers helped him to the locker room.
Right away, the Colts designated Gardner as questionable to return to the game with a calf injury. At the end of the first quarter, he was officially ruled out.
Mekhi Blackmon replaced Gardner in the lineup. Gardner later returned to the sideline in the second quarter, sporting a big gray boot on his left foot.
On Nov. 4, the Colts traded for Gardner at the NFL's trade deadline, sending their next two first-round draft picks and wide receiver AD Mitchell to the New York Jets in exchange.
In two games with the Colts this year, Gardner has 13 tackles and two pass breakups.
Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.
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