The Colts’ trade for Sauce Gardner is rapidly turning into a disaster.
Gardner departed Sunday’s loss to the Colts in the third quarter with a calf injury and did not return. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Gardner is now considered week-to-week with a mild calf strain after an MRI.
Rapoport said Gardner is “expected to miss some time, but not an extended period.” Gardner also missed multiple games last season with a calf issue.
The news adds to an eventful day for the Colts, who announced the firing of general manager Chris Ballard this morning after a loss to the previously winless Titans. Ballard had been the team’s GM since 2017.
The Colts traded their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks alongside wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to the Jets last November for Gardner, the fourth overall pick in 2023, just months after he signed a four-year, $120.4 million extension.
Gardner has recorded four passes defensed and 17 total tackles in 2026. Since the massive trade to acquire Gardner, the Colts have gone 3-11. They were 7-2 at the time of the trade last year, and finished last season 8-9, in part due to losing starting quarterback Daniel Jones to a torn Achilles last December.
Gardner also missed time with Indianapolis last season due to a calf injury.
Since joining the Colts, Gardner has put up seven passes defended and 33 tackles without recording an interception.
Gardner, 25, had a hot start to his career after being drafted by the Jets in 2022, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year and being selected as a First-Team All-Pro in his first two seasons in the NFL.
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