The Indianapolis Colts left a literal house match defeat to the Houston Texans with no less than anger. Two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner had his break-even trade deadline, which was supposed to lift an already hot team. Instead, the star defender only had two snaps to go to the ground, and Indianapolis had to play it with improvisation.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed it’s a calf injury but offered no firm timeline. Adam Schefter relayed the coach’s message on social media.
“Colts HC Shane Steichen told reporters that CB Sauce Gardner did in fact suffer a calf injury. He’ll miss some time but they say they don’t know exactly how much just yet.” reported Adam Schefter (X).
Colts HC Shane Steichen told reporters that CB Sauce Gardner did in fact suffer a calf injury. He’ll miss some time but they say they don’t know exactly how much just yet.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 1, 2025
Sauce Gardner Injury Update Keeps Colts Waiting for Clarity
The MRI results and early reporting give mixed signals. Multiple outlets reported that the 25-year-old is expected to be sidelined on a week-to-week basis after an MRI revealed a calf issue. That suggests a short-to-medium absence.
What makes this a live puzzle is timing and type. Gardner was hurt on a non-contact play two snaps in, a classic soft-tissue moment that can mend fast or linger if the strain is significant. The Colts want optimism. Reports say they hope he returns before the regular season ends, yet medical conservatism drives the “week-to-week” phrasing. That’s precisely where Steichen’s vagueness fits: coaches rarely hand out exact timetables until imaging and specialists sign off.
Gardner himself described the hit bluntly after the game: “Felt like I got shot in the calf or something,” and added he thought, “I think it’s a strain.” Those are his words, and they matter because the player’s immediate read and body language walking into the locker room lined up with the MRI-based, non-catastrophic narrative.
Indianapolis must prepare its secondary for the next game without its new marquee corner. Matchups and personnel packages will change. Plan to have the Colts designate him as day-to-day in the short term until the team decides whether to push to have him back sooner or to conserve him in the playoff push. The Colts and reporters are walking on the short side: telling what they have known, leaving a degree of tests and hoping that a speedy recovery is forthcoming. Keep an eye on official Indy practice reports and the NFL injury report this week for the next concrete marker.
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