The Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans are taking part in a big matchup this week, and just when the defense hit the field, one of their key defenders went down with an injury, according to Joel Erickson of the Indy Star.
“Sauce Gardner is down on the second defensive snap of the game,” Erickson wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
With the Texans finding a groove over the past few weeks, Gardner was supposed to be the perfect person to help neutralize them. Gardner had to be helped off the field, and the team announced that it was a calf injury that he suffered.
The hope is that the injury isn't too serious, but after initially being ruled as questionable to return, he's out for the remainder of the game. There is still a chance that he can get back on the field after this week, but there will most likely be tests and other things he has to do to make that happen.
For what it's worth, The Athletic's James Boyd said Gardner seemed to be in “good spirits” back on the sidelines after being ruled out.
Gardner was the Colts' big acquisition at the trade deadline, as they gave up several assets to get him from the New York Jets. He's fit in nicely with the Colts, so far, and before he stepped on the field for them, he knew not to put so much pressure on himself to get acclimated.
“There’s no pressure,” Gardner said via The Athletic. “Obviously, they got access to the tape, so they know what I’m capable of doing. And that’s what makes it much more special. It was less about the Jets wanting to trade me and more about the Colts wanting me to be here. And so that’s truly, truly a blessing. It’s a great group of guys already here.”
Losing Gardner for some time would be huge, but the Colts have played well on defense before they traded for him.
