The Indianapolis Colts came up short in their comeback effort against the Houston Texans on Sunday, marking their 11th consecutive season-opening loss and second under head coach Shane Steichen.
The Colts’ defense struggled at Lucas Oil Stadium, with Texans running back Joe Mixon rushing for 159 yards and a touchdown. After the game, Joel Erickson of the Indy Star reported that defensive tackle DeForest Buckner sustained a back injury during the loss. Despite the injury, Buckner stood out defensively, recording 1.5 sacks and six tackles. The 30-year-old veteran, entering his ninth NFL season, maintained his strong performance against Houston’s offensive line.
Late in the game, Buckner was seen limping off with an athletic trainer. If the injury is serious, it would be the second loss on the Colts’ defensive line this year, following the offseason injury to defensive end Samson Ebukam. Buckner, who stands at 6-foot-7 and nearly 300 pounds, provides a major advantage for the Colts alongside Grover Stewart on the defensive front.
Although Buckner has dealt with back issues in the past, he has rarely missed playing time. If he’s sidelined, Raekwon Davis could see increased playing time. The Colts will face Malik Willis and the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 next Sunday.