Sauce Gardner reflects on 'tough week' after trade, helping Colts earn win over Falcons

Cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner only officially became a member of the Indianapolis Colts shortly before the trade deadline expired last Tuesday and didn't have much time to prepare for the club's matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin on Sunday. 

After Gardner helped the Colts earn a 31-25 overtime win that improved them to 8-2, he reflected on an emotional handful of days. 

Sauce Gardner had "tough week" after trade from Colts to Jets

"I'm going to be honest," Gardner said, per Amanda Foster of the Colts' website. "It was a tough week for me. Mentally, just trying to learn all the plays. I started watching tape [for the New York Jets' home game versus the Cleveland Browns on Sunday], then already had to switch and watch tape on Atlanta, and that's besides having to hurry up and fly to Indy and then hurry up and fly to Berlin, so it was tough. But football is football. When I got out there, I wanted the guys to just be able to trust that I know what I'm doing, so I put in extra work."

The Colts traded two first-round draft picks and wide receiver Adonai "AD" Mitchell to the Jets for Gardner's services. According to ESPN's Stephen Holder, the Falcons completed 0-of-3 attempts when they targeted Gardner in the second half of Sunday's contest. Meanwhile, Nate Davis of USA Today noted that Atlanta No. 1 wide receiver Drake London secured two of four targets for 26 yards versus Gardner. 

Sauce Gardner reflects on celebrating a win for first time this season

Gardner missed the Jets' Week 8 win over the Cincinnati Bengals because of a concussion before he was traded after New York wrapped up its Week 9 bye. Thus, Sunday was the first time this season that he was able to celebrate being part of a victory.

"That was the first time that I've been in a locker room that electric this year after a game," Gardner added during his postgame comments. "Because that was my first win I've been a part of this year."

Gardner and the Colts will now enjoy their bye before they begin preparing to play at the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 23. 5-4 Kansas City has a road game at the rival Denver Broncos (8-2) on Nov. 16.