Following the Indianapolis Colts’ loss on Sunday to the Houston Texans, it was reported that defensive tackle DeForest Buckner had a back injury. That was the only information available at that time.
He had to be helped off the field late in the Colts’ 29-27 loss to the Texans.
On Monday, when head coach Shane Steichen was meeting with reporters, he said that Buckner was “progressing well” and received treatment for his back.
Steichen called Buckner “tough as nails” and added that “hopefully everything is good to go this week,” while Buckner mentioned that he thought he would be good to go for the Colts’ Week 2 matchup with the Green Bay Packers.
Buckner has battled through injuries in previous seasons with the Colts and has been on the injury report previously for his back.
As he does, Buckner left his mark on the Colts’ Week 1 matchup with the Texans, recording three pressures, including two sacks, according to PFF. He was also in on six total tackles, all of which were considered stops by PFF’s metrics.
The Colts will certainly need Buckner to help against the run, following a performance against the Texans where Joe Mixon rushed for 159 yards.
Next up on the schedule is Josh Jacobs, who averaged 5.4 yards per rush in the Packers’ Week 1 loss to Philadelphia, and without Jordan Love under center, Green Bay may look to rely quite heavily on the run game.
Buckner’s always steady pass rush presence will also go a long way in disrupting likely Packers’ backup Malik Willis, who may be in line for just his fourth NFL start.