Sauce Gardner Injury Update, Latest on Colts CB's Status vs. Jaguars

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner, who has been out since suffering a left calf strain on Nov. 30 against the Houston Texans, is on pace to return Sunday in a must-win home game versus the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen provided an update to reporters on Friday.

Gardner didn't practice on Wednesday, but he participated in a limited fashion on Thursday before turning in a full session on Friday. He's officially listed as questionable on the Colts' injury report.

Indianapolis added Gardner via trade from the New York Jets for 2026 and 2027 first-round picks plus wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. That's a big haul, to say the least, although Gardner is a two-time First Team All-Pro and a shutdown corner at his best.

Gardner started three games for Indianapolis and fared well, amassing 13 tackles and a pair of pass breakups. Opposing quarterbacks only completed 7-of-14 passes for 64 yards and no touchdowns in his direction, per Pro Football Reference.

Having Gardner back is a major boost for the Colts, who will be shorthanded on defense with defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. The three-time Pro Bowler was ruled out for the season Friday after suffering an aggravation of a neck injury that will now require surgery, per Steichen.

Colts starting cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. was also placed on injured reserve on Dec. 10 after entering the concussion protocol for the third time this season. Ward is a big loss, so Gardner at least provides some much-needed reinforcements for a defense that just allowed 440 yards in a 48-27 loss to the San Francisco 49ers last Monday.

The Colts need to win their final two games, and the Houston Texans need to lose their final two games in order for Indianapolis to make the playoffs.

Houston can knock Indianapolis out if it beats the host Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday afternoon. However, a Texan loss means that the Colts then control their own destiny for the postseason, as Indianapolis visits Houston on Jan. 4 to close the regular season.