INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — It's been a roller coaster of a week for the Indianapolis Colts' defense. On Tuesday, they added star cornerback Sauce Gardner in a trade with the New York Jets. However, by the time they got settled in Germany on Friday ahead of their matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, they placed defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on Injured Reserve with a neck injury.

Buckner was ruled out on Thursday, as he did not travel with the team to Berlin. When head coach Shane Steichen spoke to the media on Friday, he revealed Buckner's move to IR.

“He's as tough as they get," Steichen said. "Anytime a guy like that goes down, obviously, it hurts our football team. He's one of our leaders, one of our best players on defense, been a staple for us. No timetable on the return.”

While Steichen stated there is no timeline, the Colts are optimistic that Buckner will return this season.

He must miss at least four games, including this Sunday against the Falcons, on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs in two weeks (the Colts' bye is next week), at home against the Houston Texans, and on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Buckner is eligible to return Week 15 on the road against the Seattle Seahawks. The Colts then finish the regular season at home against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, at home against the Jaguars, and on the road against the Texans.

The Colts' run defense currently ranks fourth in the NFL, allowing just 87.0 yards per game. Their 4.0 yards per carry allowed is tied for ninth. The Colts are also tied for sixth in the NFL with 26 sacks.

Buckner has started all nine of the Colts' games this season, totaling 42 tackles, 4.0 sacks, and team-highs in tackles for loss (9) and quarterback hits (13).

In Buckner's absence, the Colts will likely start Neville Gallimore at three-tech defensive tackle next to Grover Stewart at nose tackle. Adetomiwa Adebawore will also see more action.

Gallimore has 21 tackles (3 for loss), 2.5 sacks, 5 quarterback hits, and 2 pass breakups this season. Adebawore has 14 tackles (2 for loss), 1.5 sacks, 3 quarterback hits, and 1 fumble recovered.

FINAL INJURY REPORT VS. FALCONS

The Colts released their official injury report on Friday, which detailed that Friday was a walkthrough rather than a practice, and a player's listed participation is an estimation.

Aside from Buckner, defensive ends Samson Ebukam (knee) and Tyquan Lewis (groin) are out for their third straight game, and wide receiver/return specialist Anthony Gould (knee) is questionable. None of the three players practiced this week.

The Falcons are a bit banged up as well. Left guard Matthew Bergeron (ankle), linebacker Leonard Floyd (hamstring), and offensive tackle Storm Norton (foot) are all out, while right guard Chris Lindstrom (foot), cornerback Mike Hughes (neck), and defensive tackle Lacale London (shoulder) are questionable.

Bergeron, Lindstrom, Floyd, and Hughes are all starters. Norton is currently on IR and must be activated to play.

The Colts and Falcons play this Sunday, Nov. 9, at 9:30 a.m. ET on NFL Network at Olympic Stadium Berlin.

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.