INDIANAPOLIS US News: The Indianapolis Colts sidestepped disaster on Monday when tests confirmed star cornerback Sauce Gardner suffered only a calf strain and not a torn Achilles in Sunday’s 20-16 loss to the Houston Texans.
Gardner went down without contact early in the first quarter while covering Texans tight end Cade Stover on an in-breaking route. The two-time All-Pro immediately grabbed the back of his lower left leg and hopped off the field before trainers helped him to the medical tent and eventually the locker room. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The sight of a non-contact lower-leg injury instantly sparked fears of a ruptured Achilles, an injury that typically ends seasons. Gardner himself told reporters after the game that the pain “felt like I got shot in the calf,” but he was quick to add that the discomfort was higher than the Achilles tendon.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Sunday that initial tests showed Gardner’s Achilles was intact. On Monday morning, Ian Rapoport provided the full update: Gardner has been diagnosed with a calf strain and is scheduled for an MRI today to determine the exact severity and timeline. Sources close to the situation told Rapoport the team expects the 25-year-old to miss only a matter of weeks, not months.
The Colts acquired Gardner from the New York Jets at the November trade deadline in a blockbuster deal that cost two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. In just three games with Indianapolis, the former Jets standout has already established himself as the clear leader of the secondary.
Head coach Shane Steichen declined to speculate on a firm return date but expressed relief at the relatively positive diagnosis.
“We’re obviously thrilled it’s not the Achilles,” Steichen said Monday. “Sauce is a huge part of what we’re doing back there. We’ll be smart with the rehab and get him back as soon as he’s 100 percent.”
Gardner is reportedly seeking a second medical opinion this week, standard procedure for high-profile injuries. The Colts host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14 before a quick turnaround against the Tennessee Titans in Week 15, two games the defense will likely have to navigate without its top cover man.
Indianapolis currently sits at 6-6 and remains in the thick of the AFC wild-card race. Getting Gardner back for the stretch run would be a massive boost for a unit that has leaned heavily on the former Defensive Rookie of the Year since his arrival.
