Sauce Gardner Injured, Latest Rumors on Colts Star's Timeline to Return from Calf Injury

The Indianapolis Colts are having an eventful Monday.

On the same day that general manager Chris Ballard was fired, star cornerback Sauce Gardner reportedly was diagnosed with a mild calf strain and is "week-to-week," per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

According to Rapoport, "Gardner is expected to miss some time, but not an extended period."

Gardner, 25, is a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro selection. This season he's appeared in all six games for the Colts, registering 17 tackles and four passes defensed. While he isn't having a signature season, being without him will make the Colts demonstrably worse against the pass.

The Colts paid a hefty price to bring him aboard last season, trading two first-round picks (2026-27) and wideout Adonai Mitchell to the New York Jets. It was expected to be the sort of move that took the Colts over the top as contenders.

It hasn't quite worked that way. At the time of the deal last season, the Colts were 7-2. Since the trade, the team has gone just 3-11.

That's not on Gardner, of course. Last season's schedule got far more difficult down the stretch, Daniel Jones was lost for the season last year—prompting the team to lure Philip Rivers out of retirement—and there are now major questions about the team's coaching staff and front office.

But Sunday's loss against the previously winless Tennessee Titans was a new low.

▶️ Full Titans-Colts Recap

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That earned the team plenty of boos from their home fans. Not that the Colts blamed them.

"I'm pissed off, too," veteran defensive lineman DeForest Buckner told reporters. "I'm sick and tired of the same song and dance every year."

The steps aren't going to get any easier without Gardner.