Indianapolis Colts star cornerback Sauce Gardner’s MRI on his calf revealed that he will be sidelined week-to-week with the injury, multiple media outlets reported Monday morning.
It is not expected to be a long-term injury for Gardner, who was hurt two defensive snaps into Indianapolis’ 20-16 loss to the visiting Houston Texans on Sunday. The Colts hope he can return prior to the end of the regular season, per NFL Network.
“Felt like I got shot in the calf or something,” he said after the game. “But it was high. I wasn’t thinking the worst.”
Gardner, 25, hobbled away from a pass completion on Houston’s second play from scrimmage. He had to be helped to the locker room.
“I think it’s a strain,” he said. “I don’t think it’s an Achilles or nothing like that.”
Houston led 3-0 after the first quarter when Indianapolis officially ruled Gardner out for the rest of the game. The two-time All-Pro returned to the sideline with a walking boot on his left foot.
Gardner was acquired from the New York Jets on Nov. 4 in a trade deadline deal that cost Indianapolis two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
The Jets selected Gardner with the fourth overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he went on to win Defensive Rookie of the Year honors with 75 tackles, two interceptions and a league-leading 20 passes defensed in 17 starts.
He was first-team All-Pro and voted to the Pro Bowl in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Gardner played seven games for the Jets this season before missing time due to a concussion. Sunday was his third game with the Colts.
Indianapolis (8-4) visits Jacksonville (8-4) next Sunday in a game between the co-leaders of the AFC South.
