The Indianapolis Colts placed Pro Bowl defensive end DeForest Buckner on injured reserve Tuesday because of a sprained ankle.
Buckner, 30, was ejected in the third quarter of the Colts’ 16-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Packers running back Emanuel Wilson fell on Buckner’s ankle, causing it to bend awkwardly.
The veteran, who has missed just two games due to injury in his nine-year career, will miss at least four games, according to league rules. The earliest he will be eligible to return is an Oct. 20 game against the visiting Miami Dolphins.
Buckner has 1.5 sacks and seven tackles in two games (one start) so far. He has 62.5 career sacks with the San Francisco 49ers (2016-19) and the Colts. He started 126 of 131 games, made the Pro Bowl three times and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2020.
Buckner signed a two-year extension with the Colts in April, a deal that will take effect next season. He is in the final year of a four-year, $84 million contract.
The Colts on Tuesday re-signed defensive end Genard Avery to the active roster. Avery missed all of last season after suffering a preseason injury that led to surgery on his LCL/meniscus. Avery has 106 tackles, 29 quarterback hits and 8.5 sacks in 62 career games (17 starts) with the Cleveland Browns (2018-19), Philadelphia Eagles (2019-21) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2022).
Other moves by the Colts on Tuesday included signing defensive end Adam Gotsis, linebacker Gregory Junior and defensive end Titus Leo to the practice squad and releasing defensive end McTelvin Agim and linebacker Ameer Speed ​​from the practice squad.
The Colts (0-2) next face the Chicago Bears (1-1) in Indianapolis on Sunday.
–Field Level Media