Sauce Gardner has wild explanation for injury setback after trade from Jets to Colts

The Indianapolis Colts acquiring star cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner from the New York Jets ahead of the trade deadline this past fall couldn't prevent what was once an 8-2 Colts team from missing the playoffs and finishing the season with a record of 8-9. 

Gardner appeared in just three games after the trade before he suffered a calf injury. He then aggravated the issue during a Week 17 appearance that proved to be his last of the campaign. According to Grant Gordon of the NFL's website, Gardner hinted that karma had something to do with all he endured after he joined the Colts. 

Did a phone call cost Sauce Gardner playing time after trade with Colts? 

"When it happened, there was something I did that I shouldn't have did," Gardner explained. "Not a huge deal, but I had just picked up a phone call I shouldn't have picked up, and then the next day that happened. I'm dead serious, that is truly, I feel, why I got injured. I picked up a phone call I shouldn't have answered. It was unfortunate, but I know how I've gotta live and the decisions I've got to make now."

Colts fans may hope that Gardner sticks to text messaging once the 2026 regular season gets underway. After all, the Jets thought so much of Gardner last offseason that they signed him to a four-year, $120.4M deal. He confirmed this week that he is "definitely fully healthy" and ready to participate in springtime workouts. 

Sauce Gardner jokes about what he means for Colts' 2026 draft class

The Jets made Gardner a first-round pick during the 2022 NFL Draft. This past fall, they acquired two first-round draft choices and wide receiver Adonai "AD" Mitchell from Indianapolis for Gardner's services. 

Thus, Gardner's presence impacts what the Colts will be able to do during the 2026 player-selection process that gets underway on Thursday night. 

"I'm the first-round pick -- I'm the first-round pick two times," Gardner joked. "We're gonna get our money. We're gonna do our thing on defense, especially, but the whole team is gonna do our thing. There's no pressure."

One wonders if Gardner will feel extra pressure to impress when he takes the field for regular-season action this coming September.