Colts CB Sauce Gardner Exits with Calf Injury

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner suffered a calf injury early in the first quarter of Sunday's NFL Week 13 matchup against the Houston Texans, forcing him to exit the game and leaving the team without one of its key defensive players.

The injury occurred during the Colts' first defensive series, as Gardner was engaged with Texans tight end Cade Stover on a play. According to reports from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Gardner appeared to suffer a non-contact injury, hobbling a few steps before collapsing to the field. Trainers attended to him immediately, and he was unable to walk off under his own power. Assisted by medical staff, Gardner limped to the locker room without putting weight on his left leg. The Colts initially listed him as questionable to return, but he was later ruled out for the remainder of the contest. He was observed on the sideline wearing a walking boot.

The 24-year-old Gardner, a former fourth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, had been a cornerstone of Indianapolis' secondary since his arrival. Selected out of the University of Cincinnati, he earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in his debut season. In July, the Jets...