The Indianapolis Colts run defense has had a disastrous start to the NFL season. Throughout the first two games, the Colts have surrendered a league-high 474 rushing yards. They have allowed 75 more yards than the second-worst rush defense, the Carolina Panthers, who allowed 399.
The Colts played against their division rival, the Houston Texans, in Week 1 and lost 27-29. The run defense must’ve forgotten that the Texans acquired Joe Mixon solely to improve a run offense that ranked 22nd in yards last season. They allowed 213 rushing yards, and Mixon led the charge with 159 yards on 30 carries and one touchdown.
The Colts played against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 and lost 10-16. The Colts knew the Packers’ game plan would be to run the football with Jordan Love inactive. Despite anticipating a heavy workload for Josh Jacobs, they could not stop them, surrendering 261 rushing yards (mostly in the first half). Jacobs ran for 151 yards on 32 carries.
To make matters worse, their best defender exited with an injury.
The Indianapolis Colts 3-Time Pro Bowler suffered an ankle injury
DeForest Buckner injured his ankle in the second half while attempting to chase down a ball carrier and rolled his ankle in the process. Buckner attempted to get up but immediately went back to the ground. The medical staff carted him off the field, and he did not return to the game. He underwent tests to determine the severity of the injury.
He was also dealing with a back injury heading into Week 2 and did not practice during the week. He was questionable but ultimately played. He did not start and recorded one tackle in ten defensive snaps.
The Indianapolis Colts appeared to have dodged a bullet
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, DeForest Buckner appeared to have suffered an ankle sprain after X-rays came back negative. He will undergo an MRI to determine the nature of his injury. Although he may have dodged a bullet, he is considered a long shot to play in their Week 3 matchup against the Chicago Bears.
#Colts DL DeForest Buckner, one of the NFL’s most durable players, suffered an ankle sprain that is expected to make him a long-shot for next week against the #Bears, sources say. X-Rays were negative, MRI is coming. The belief is the sprain is not a severe one. pic.twitter.com/CTltJfNFQ8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 16, 2024
UPDATE: The Colts placed Buckner on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain and will miss the next four games.
