The Indianapolis Colts are hoping to end a three-game skid when they take on the Seattle Seahawks in a pivotal Week 15 matchup. The Colts could get a defensive boost Sunday after designating DeForest Buckner for return from the IR. The veteran DT was sidelined for four games with a neck injury.

While Buckner could beef up the defensive line, the Colts’ secondary will likely be shorthanded on Sunday. Sauce Gardner has yet to return to practice as he logged another DNP on Thursday, per the Tacoma News Tribune’s Gregg Bell.

Gardner strained his calf against the Houston Texans in Week 13. And the All-Pro cornerback has been sidelined since sustaining the injury. Gardner was ruled out for last Sunday’s divisional clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars. And now, after opening the week with back-to-back DNPs, he appears unlikely to return against Seattle.

The banged up Colts enter must-win territory

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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) is helped off the field following an injury Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Gardner avoided the IR with his calf strain but he’s still expected to miss multiple games. Unfortunately, the Colts are in must-win territory after the Jaguars surpassed them for the division lead.

Indianapolis landed the fourth-year corner at the trade deadline as the team went all-in following an 8-2 start. However, disaster struck when Daniel Jones tore his Achilles last Sunday. The Colts have lost four of their last five games, including divisional matchups against the Texans and Jaguars. Now on the outside looking in at the playoffs, Indy needs to win their remaining games despite being shorthanded.

Riley Leonard filled in for Jones last week. However, Philip Rivers has volunteered to take over as Indianapolis’ starting quarterback. The team signed the 44-year-old QB to the practice squad after a workout. And Rivers has a chance to start against the Seahawks. Whether that ends up being a positive for the Colts remains to be seen.