The Indianapolis Colts lost their third straight game in Week 14. The Jacksonville Jaguars surpassed Indianapolis for the division lead with last Sunday’s 36-19 win. Now 8-5, the Colts’ playoff hopes took a serious hit with Daniel Jones’ season-ending Achilles tear against the Jaguars.
After the devastating injury, Philip Rivers stepped forward and volunteered to take Jones’ place. Despite retiring half a decade ago, the 44-year-old quarterback is willing to suit up to save Indy’s season. Incredibly, the Colts signed Rivers. And even more improbably, he could start for the team against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15.
While it’s unclear if adding Rivers will help the offense, Indianapolis’ defense could soon receive a major boost. The Colts designated DeForest Buckner for return from injured reserve, per The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov. Buckner was back at practice on Wednesday as a limited participant.
Colts set to receive DeForest Buckner D-line boost
The 10th-year defensive tackle has been sidelined the last four games with a neck injury. Buckner landed on IR following the Colts’ Week 9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team went 1-3 without the former first-round pick. But he could be back on the field when first eligible.
Indianapolis opened Buckner’s 21-day window and he returned to practice. It’s unclear if he’ll play in Week 15. However, the Colts don’t have time to spare with their playoff odds dwindling.
Although Indy is only a game behind Jacksonville in the AFC South, the red-hot Houston Texans have won five straight games to leapfrog the Colts as well. And Indianapolis lost to both the Texans and the Jaguars in back-to-back weeks.
The upcoming schedule is difficult, with games against NFC West powerhouses. The Seahawks are up next and the San Francisco 49ers await in Week 16’s Monday Night Football matchup. Indy then closes the season with divisional showdowns against Jacksonville and Houston.
If the Colts can weather the next two weeks and/or get some help with AFC South losses, they’ll have a chance to make up ground at the end of the season. But if Indianapolis can’t turn things around, the team could come to regret its all-in Sauce Gardner trade at the deadline.
