​DeForest Buckner’s 10th NFL season was cut short by a neck injury he sustained in early November, limiting him to 10 games. He did return as the Indianapolis Colts pursued a brief playoff push in December, but he was sidelined again once they were eliminated. The former Oregon Ducks standout defensive tackle and No. 7 overall pick in the 2016 draft underwent neck surgery at season’s end, raising questions about his availability for Week 1 of the 2026 campaign. The Athletic highlighted Buckner’s return as the Colts’ biggest summer concern heading into training camp.
According to James Boyd of The Athletic, Buckner, acquired in a March 2020 trade with the San Francisco 49ers, is arguably the Colts’ best defensive player. Yet the 32-year-old had neck surgery toward the end of last season and did not participate in spring practices. In speaking with Buckner at his annual kids camp, he offered a guarded outlook on his return, saying, “The goal is Week 1.” If Buckner isn’t ready for the opener, or if he can’t regain his All-Pro form at any point in 2026, the Colts’ pass rush would suffer greatly.
When Buckner was fully healthy prior to his injury, Indianapolis posted a 7-1 record. After his Week 9 injury, they collapsed to 1-8, ending the season in disappointing fashion after initially holding the AFC’s No. 1 seed and missing the playoffs. Although quarterback Daniel Jones contributed to the late-season decline by rupturing his Achilles, the defense also faltered without Buckner. In 10 games, Buckner had 47 tackles and four sacks, pacing toward one of the best seasons of his career.
With Jones back and a solid offensive core featuring running back Jonathan Taylor, wide receiver Alec Pierce, and tight end Tyler Warren, the Colts have hopes of contending for a playoff spot this fall. However, his absence would significantly dampen those prospects, making his recovery and full strength a top priority. For ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news and notes, follow Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like the page on Facebook. This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: DeForest Buckner has goal of returning for Week 1 from injury.