The division-leading Indianapolis Colts will be without defensive anchor DeForest Buckner for at least their next four games.
Indianapolis placed the three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle on injured reserve Friday with a neck injury.
Buckner, 31, had already been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin.
He will also miss the Colts’ games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars in Weeks 12-14. Indianapolis has next week off. His first return will take place on December 14 with the Seattle Seahawks.
Buckner was injured during last weekend’s 27-20 road loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s only missed six games with injury in his 10-year NFL career, including five last season with a stint on IR for an ankle injury.
He ranks second on the Colts with 4.0 sacks, 42 tackles and 13 QB hits in nine starts this season.
Buckner has 71.5 sacks, 10 fumble recoveries and 647 tackles in 150 games (145 starts) with San Francisco (2016-19) and Indianapolis. The 49ers drafted him 7th overall in 2016.
The Colts (7-2) also ruled out defensive ends Samson Ebukam (knee) and Tyquan Lewis (groin) for Sunday’s game against the Falcons (3-5). Both have also missed the last two games.
–Field level media
