Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Colts Announce Sauce Gardner Development Before Jaguars Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Dec 5, 2025 1:43 PM ET

The Indianapolis Colts are 8-4 going into their Week 14 matchup against the 8-4 Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts are in second place in the AFC South behind the Jaguars, making this a big divisional matchup.

Indianapolis started the season 8-2, but has slowed down, dropping consecutive games to the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans. However, the Colts' early-season success led to some exciting moves.

That included trading for cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets on Nov. 4 to bolster the defense. As a two-time First-Team All-Pro selection, Gardner was one of the biggest acquisitions of the trade deadline.

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

Unfortunately, Gardner is dealing with a concerning injury. In the first quarter of the Colts' Week 13 loss to the Texans, Gardner suffered a non-contact calf injury. It caused him to sit out the rest of the game.

In the first two of Indianapolis' Week 14 injury reports , the cornerback was listed as a non-participant. On Friday, head coach Shane Steichen officially announced that Garnder has been ruled out against the Jaguars.

per Coach Steichen, CB Sauce Gardner has been ruled out for #INDvsJAX.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 5, 2025

Since being acquired, Gardner has appeared in three games for the Colts. He has been targeted 14 times, allowing seven completions, 64 yards, zero touchdowns and a 62.8 passer rating. Gardner has added 13 tackles and two passes defended.

While he won't suit up against Jacksonville, there's hope his injury won't be too long-term. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport previously reported that the team has no intentions of placing Gardner on the injured reserve.

The Jaguars rank just 21st in the NFL in passing yards per game (202.8). However, the Colts being without Gardner provides Jacksonville an opportunity to turn one of its weaknesses into a strength.

Whoever wins this game will take sole possession of first place in the AFC South. Kickoff is Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at EverBank Stadium, airing on CBS.

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

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