Colts place Buckner on IR, no timetable for return

BERLIN (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts have placed defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on injured reserve — meaning he'll miss at least four games — because of a neck injury, coach Shane Steichen said Friday after practice in Berlin.

Buckner, who did not travel with the team for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons, was hurt in last week's 27-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“He's as tough as they get. Anytime a guy like that goes down, obviously it hurts our football team,” Steichen said. “He's one of our leaders, one of our best players on defense, been a staple for us. No timetable on the return.”

The Colts arrived Friday and held practice — starting near dusk — at the training ground of Bundesliga soccer club Hertha Berlin, near the Olympiastadion.

For the Colts, it’s their second game in Germany in the past two years. They beat the New England Patriots 10-6 in Frankfurt in 2023. Jonathan Taylor had the game’s only touchdown, and Gardner Minshew was under center.

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