Colts' DeForest Buckner not traveling with team to Berlin

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Colts star defender DeForest Buckner not traveling with team to Berlin

By Ryan Stano | Last updated Nov 6, 2025 5:11 PM ET

Despite coming off their worst game of the season, the Indianapolis Colts still have the best record in the league. They sit at 7-2 and just made the biggest move at the trade deadline by acquiring Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets for two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.

Gardner is out of the concussion protocol and is expected to make his Colts debut on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin, Germany. While the Colts are adding Gardner, they will not have their best defensive player available for this game.

Ahead of this key matchup, the Colts have already ruled DeForest Buckner out with a neck injury. He won't make the trip overseas and will miss his first game of the season.

The Colts will not have DeForest Buckner for game against the Falcons

Indianapolis announced the news on its official X account.

DE DeForest Buckner (neck) will not travel with the team to berlin and has been ruled out for sunday’s game. https://t.co/HSmDNrZEaa
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 6, 2025

Buckner is a warrior, having only missed six total games since he joined the Colts in 2020. Five of those games were last season. He is the best player the Colts have on the defensive line, and he commands double-teams on almost every play.

Indianapolis will have to hope that the linebackers can come up and stop the run game since Buckner won't be able to clog up the middle. The edge-rushers will now be under more pressure to get to Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., as well.

Gardner will have pressure on him right away to defend Atlanta's best receivers. The Colts allow the seventh-most passing yards (244.8) in the NFL, so Gardner was brought in to remedy that.

After this weekend, the Colts have a bye week. The hope is that the extra rest will do Buckner some good. Getting him back is a high priority as the Colts make a Super Bowl push.

Ryan Stano

Ryan Stano has been covering sports since 2017 with a focus on the NFL, NBA, and College Football. His work has been featured on Sports Illustrated, FanSided, and Yahoo. He is an Ohio State graduate with a passion for the Buckeyes, Indianapolis Colts, and Indiana Pacers.

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