Colts Announce CB Move After Sauce Gardner News

Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Colts Announce CB Move After Sauce Gardner News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Oct 24, 2026 4:01 PM ET

The Indianapolis Colts are likely entering a new era soon. The team has stumbled to a 2-4 record through their first six games, and their last loss against the Tennessee Titans resulted in the organization firing general manager Chris Ballard after nearly a decade in charge.

With the NFL trade deadline approaching, the Colts are one of the teams contenders are keeping an eye on to see which assets they might be willing to move for draft capital.

Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and lineman Quenton Nelson are two candidates that have already generated interest, but one of the more intriguing names is cornerback Sauce Gardner.

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The reasoning is simple. Buckner and Nelson are aging veterans, but Gardner is just 25 years old and in the prime of his career. He is already a two-time Pro Bowler and a former Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Gardner was acquired by the Colts in November 2025 at last year’s trade deadline in a deal with the New York Jets. Unfortunately for Indianapolis, they have not seen him at the peak of his abilities.

During his tenure with the team he has appeared in just 10 games due to multiple injury setbacks, and it has continued into Week 7. Gardner has been ruled out for their matchup with the Minnesota Vikings due to a calf strain.

With Gardner down, the Colts needed a replacement from the practice squad to help in the secondary. One day before the game, they announced they were elevating Kenneth Harris to the active roster.

We have elevated LB Germaine Pratt and CB Kenneth Harris from the practice squad to the active roster for #INDvsMIN.

We have released P Thomas Morstead from the practice squad.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 24, 2026

Harris has played just one game in his NFL career and is a rookie, so he will not be able to provide anywhere near the value Gardner does.

If the Colts are committed to a rebuild, moving Gardner while his trade value is still high makes sense. Keeping him through a lost season while he deals with injuries does not.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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