Tag: DeForest Buckner

Colts DT DeForest Buckner back at Thursday’s Week 11 practice

After being listed as a non-participant on Wednesday’s estimated injury report, Indianapolis Colts’ DT DeForest Buckner was practicing on Thursday.

The Indianapolis Colts were back on the practice field on Thursday ahead of their Week 11 matchup with the New York Jets and so was defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.

The Colts didn’t hold their usual Wednesday practice, but with the bye week still a few weeks away, the team instead held a walkthrough. An injury report was still released, but it was an estimation of what each player’s status would have been had practice been held.

For Buckner, he was listed as a non-participant with a foot injury. This is a different injury than the high-ankle sprain that landed Buckner on injured reserve from Weeks 3-7 of this season.

As of now, we don’t have any further specifics about the injury, but Buckner did play a career-high 59 snaps this past Sunday against Buffalo. We will learn later on Thursday afternoon whether he was a limited or full participant at today’s practice.

As we’ve seen over the last few weeks, the DeForest Buckner effect is very real. There is the obvious impact he brings from the disruption he creates on a regular basis.

Over the last three games, the 14 pressures he’s generated ranks third among all defensive tackles as does his pass-rush win rate.

But Buckner’s impact goes beyond his own stats. He’s a force-multiplier, meaning his presence alone makes those around him better with the attention he draws, creating one-on-ones or advantageous matchups for others.

Not including Sunday’s game against the Bills, the Colts’ pressure rate as a defense this season with Buckner on the field was at 44.4 percent versus just 30.4 percent without him.

We will see what the rest of the week holds, but him being back at practice is a good sign for Sunday.

Indianapolis Colts’ pass rush night and day difference with DeForest Buckner

We all know how impactful Indianapolis Colts DT DeForest Buckner is, but these numbers showcase just how impressive he has been.

DeForest Buckner’s impact on the Indianapolis Colts defense this season has been massive–we all know that.

However, even in knowing that, the numbers that showcase just how impactful he has been are quite impressive.

As noted by The Athletic’s James Boyd, when Buckner has been on the field this season for the Colts, the defense as a whole as generated a pressure rate of 44.4 percent. On the flip side, without Buckner, the Colts’ pressure rate is only 30.4 percent.

Beyond the massive gap between those two figures, for some added context, the most pressured quarterback in football this season is Jacoby Brissett, who is under duress on 44.1 percent of his dropbacks. Patrick Mahomes, meanwhile, is pressured on just 30.3 percent of his dropbacks, the seventh-lowest mark among quarterbacks.

Individually, Buckner has the 12th-best pass rush win rate among all interior defenders this season. But Buckner’s impact on this defense goes well past his own production. With the attention that he draws just from being on the field, that can help open up opportunities for others.

A great example of this is with Grover Stewart. According to Boyd’s metrics, when Buckner has been healthy (Weeks 1, 8, and 9), Stewart has a pressure rate of 14.8 percent and is double-teamed on 41 percent of his snaps.

Then in the games where Buckner hasn’t been available, Stewart’s pressure rate drops to only 1.9 percent and he’s double-teamed nearly 10 percent more often.

Overall, the swing in pass rush effectiveness that Buckner’s presence provides also has a trickle-down effect to the rest of the defense. Steady pressure disrupts the timing and rhythm of the throw, which can lead to mistakes and, generally speaking, less time that the secondary has to be in coverage.

The DeForest Buckner effect is very real and the Colts defense has been benefitting from it since his return from injury.

Report offers bad news for 49ers with 2 high-priced trade targets

Reunions with DJ Jones or DeForest Buckner don’t appear to be on the table for the 49ers.

It’s unclear whether the San Francisco 49ers’ lack of activity in the trade market is a sign of a quiet trade deadline, or a calm before the storm.

The 49ers may be aiming to bolster a handful of positions at the deadline, but the interior of the defensive line remains perhaps their biggest area of need following defensive tackle Javon Hargrave’s season-ending triceps injury.

Unfortunately for San Francisco, the two biggest names floating around the trade rumor mill aren’t anticipated to be available.

The Athletic’s Diana Russini on Saturday reported neither Indianapolis Colts DT DeForest Buckner nor Denver Broncos DT DJ Jones are expected to be available before Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Both former 49ers would plug into San Francisco’s current defensive line and offer upgrades in run stopping and as pass rushers. The 49ers are working with a rotating cast of replacements for Hargrave, and they’ve now dipped into their practice squad to bring undrafted rookie Evan Anderson into that rotation.

Jones is in the final year of a three-year, $30 million deal he signed with Denver ahead of the 2022 season. The 2017 sixth-round pick of the 49ers has 11.0 sacks and 32 tackles for loss across 100 games in the NFL.

Buckner, a first-round pick in the 2016 draft by the 49ers, is in the first year of a two-year, $46 million extension he signed this offseason. He’s due $23 million guaranteed next year, with no guaranteed money in 2026 before the contract voids in 2027 per Over the Cap.

The 49ers could comfortably fit both players under the salary cap which helps if they want to try and overpay to coax the Broncos or Colts into moving one of their starting defensive tackles.

Russini also confirmed reporting that Patriots DT Davon Godchaux is available. That may be the kind of move the 49ers have to settle for since the big swings for Buckner or Jones don’t appear to be on the table.

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49ers should make no-brainer move, trade for former All-Pro defensive lineman

This is a no-brainer move the 49ers should make if it’s there.

There’s a clear top need for the San Francisco 49ers with the 2024 NFL trade deadline approaching.

While the 49ers could use depth at several positions, the defensive line is the unit that they’d benefit the most from upgrading. Despite improved production in the secondary, San Francisco’s defensive philosophy revolves disruptive play up front.

If the Indianapolis Colts are willing to do business, the 49ers should aim to bring back their former first-round pick DeForest Buckner. He was on IR with a high ankle sprain, but returned for the Colts’ Week 8 matchup with the Houston Texans.

From the 49ers’ perspective, the fit is a no-brainer despite the injury.

They need an interior defensive lineman who can push the pocket as a pass rusher while also holding up well against the run. Buckner one of the most consistent players at the position in the NFL. He’s never had fewer than 48 pressures in a season, and he’s had at least 7.0 sacks every year since 2019. Not to mention his fit would be seamless on a club he spent the first four years of his career with.

The Colts signed Buckner, 30,  to a two-year, $46 million deal in the offseason. He’ll be owed $23 million guaranteed next year with no additional guaranteed money after that. San Francisco could drop his cap hit next year by either restructuring his deal or extending him and spreading that cap hit out over a few seasons.

It’s a little murkier from the Colts’ perspective. They’re 4-4 heading into Week 9 and two games back of the AFC South-leading Texans.

They’ve also made a change at quarterback by plugging in veteran Joe Flacco for struggling 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson. That’s a clear indication they’re trying to win now and probably not eager to give up a key piece of their defensive line.

However, if Indianapolis falls to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in their final game before the trade deadline, they might be more eager to make a deal and recoup an asset or two for Buckner knowing the playoffs are probably not in the cards for them this season.

If Buckner can be had for something like a third or fourth-round pick in next year’s draft, the 49ers should be first in line to make that deal.

Trading him away initially was a mistake. Trading to get him back could save their season.

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Colts optimistic about DT DeForest Buckner returning to practice next week

Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen is optimistic that DT DeForest Buckner can return to practice next week.

For this week, Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will remain on injured reserve. However, head coach Shane Steichen is optimistic about Buckner returning to practice next week, saying that he’s “really close.”

Buckner was placed on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain following the Colts’ Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Once the Colts deem that Buckner is healthy enough to return to practice the team will open up a 21 day window. At any point, whether it be on Day 1 or Day 21, Buckner can be added back to the 53-man roster and available for the upcoming game.

Since the Colts’ roster is currently at full capacity, whenever the time comes that Buckner is activated and available on Sundays, a corresponding cut will have to be made in order to make room for him.

It goes without saying, but this Colts defensive front, which is also dealing with injuries elsewhere, has very much missed Buckner’s presence. The run defense depth behind Grover Stewart continues to be wildly inconsistent, while the pass rush has struggled to generate any steady pressure over these last two games.

In the Colts’ Week 1 matchup with Houston, Buckner totaled three pressures and two sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. He was also in on six tackles in the run game as well.

Week 4: Steelers’ opponent to miss two additional players on defense

The Steelers face a depleted Colts defense, missing key pieces like Kwity Paye and Kenny Moore in the Week 4 matchup.

While it was suspected that the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ Week 4 matchup could be a potential trap game, it has now been reported that their opponent, the Indianapolis Colts, will be missing two of their best players on the defensive side of the ball.

A little over a week ago, news broke that Colts’ star defensive tackle, DeForest Buckner, would miss at least the next four games after being placed on IR.  As if the Colts couldn’t give Pittsburgh an even easier defensive unit to beat down, Colts’ young star edge rusher Kwity Paye and one of the best slot corners in the league, Kenny Moore II, will miss the important AFC matchup this Sunday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have no excuses when they meet the Colts in Indianapolis on September 29th at 1:00 PM EST.  While the undefeated team will be facing more than a few offensive dynamic players, Pittsburgh boasts the number one overall defense in the league, and now the offense should get a much-needed layup against a battered Week 4 opponent.

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Former Oregon Ducks’ DT DeForest Buckner placed on injured reserve

Former Oregon Ducks DT DeForest Buckner will miss at least four games with a sprained ankle.

DeForest Buckner, a former Oregon Ducks defensive lineman and All-Pro DT in the NFL, has been placed on short-term injured reserve, according to Ian Rapoport. Buckner suffered the injury during the Indianapolis Colts’ week three game against the Green Bay Packers.

Buckner sprained his ankle last weekend, after developing a reputation as one of the most durable players in the NFL. Since his rookie season in 2016, Buckner has played in all but one regular season game, for the 49ers and the Colts.

In his nine-year NFL career, Buckner has earned Pro Bowl honors three times, and once he was named an All-Pro. This season, he was off to a strong start, finishing week one with six solo tackles and a TFL. In game two, Buckner grabbed one tackle before being knocked out of the game.

https://twitter.com/rapsheet/status/1836143172256436391?s=42

Through two weeks of the NFL season, plenty of pro Ducks have been off to hot starts — and Buckner has been among the best. Bucker’s injury wasn’t initially expected to be serious, but by being placed on IR, he’ll be forced to miss at least four games.

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Colts place DT DeForest Buckner on injured reserve

The Indianapolis Colts announced on Tuesday that they are placing defensive tackle DeForest Buckner in injured reserve. 

The Indianapolis Colts announced on Tuesday that they are placing defensive tackle DeForest Buckner in injured reserve.

Buckner suffered an ankle injury in the team’s Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Some good news is that this injury isn’t expected to be season-ending. Mike Chappell would report that the MRI revealed that Buckner suffered a high-ankle sprain.

While each injury and player is different, for what it’s worth, wide receiver Josh Downs suffered a high ankle sprain on August 7th and he returned to practice last week but did not play against the Packers.

With Buckner on injured reserve, he will have to miss at least four games.

It goes without saying, but the loss of Buckner for this stretch is a massive blow to the Colts’ defense.

Since arriving in Indianapolis in 2020, Buckner has been the definition of both consistent and disruptive, leaving his mark in both the running and passing games.

If the Colts are going to turn their season around, they have to get better against the run, but that’s a chore that becomes all the more difficult without Buckner.

For what it’s worth, Taven Bryan got the start next to Grover Stewart this past Sunday with Buckner on a snap count, although Raekwon Davis would end up out-snapping Bryan.

In Buckner’s place, the Colts also announced that they’ve signed defensive end Genard Avery from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

Colts DT DeForest Buckner an expected ‘long-shot’ to play vs. Bears

According to Ian Rapoport, Colts’ DT DeForest Buckner is a “long-shot” to play against the Bears this week.

Some good news for the Indianapolis Colts, with the ankle injury that defensive tackle DeForest Buckner sustained on Sunday reportedly not being a “severe one,” according to Ian Rapoport.

Rapoport called the injury a sprain and would add that X-Rays on Buckner’s ankle were negative and that an MRI is still coming.

Although the injury doesn’t appear to be a long-term issue for Buckner, Rapoport did say that he is expected to be a “long-shot” for the Colts’ Week 3 matchup against Chicago.

Buckner suffered the injury during the second half of the Colts’ loss to the Packers. He was chasing down a Packers ball carrier and appeared to roll his ankle while making the tackle attempt.

Initially, the injury looked severe, with Buckner having to be helped off the field and then carted to the locker room.

Throughout his career, Buckner has been an extremely disruptive force in the middle of the defense and a very durable player as well, rarely missing any time.

Buckner was dealing with a back injury heading into the matchup with Green Bay. He did not practice during the week, but as he does, he was suited up on Sunday.

If the Colts are going to be without Buckner against the Bears, turning around their porous run defense is going to be an even bigger challenge.

Colts DT DeForest Buckner exits Week 2 game vs. Packers with injury

Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner exited the Colts’ Week 2 matchup against the Packers with an injury.

Indianapolis Colts star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner exited Sunday’s Week 2 matchup against the Green Bay Packers with an ankle injury.

The injury appeared to happen while Buckner was making a downfield tackle attempt in the third quarter.

After being helped off the field, Joel Erickson of the Indy Star would post that Buckner was then carted to the locker room.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1835392552167428514

Buckner was questionable for today’s game after working through a back injury during the week that held him out of practice this week. But as Buckner has done throughout his career, he was available for the game.

Since arriving in Indianapolis in 2020, Buckner has been the prime example of a player who is both consistent and disruptive. Buckner is averaging almost 54 pressures and eight sacks per season during that span.

Be sure to check back in with Colts Wire for the latest updates.

Update as of Sunday evening:

https://twitter.com/mchappell51/status/1835458940504523132