Sauce Gardner Fantasy Stats

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) will not play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Houston Texans, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Gardner returned from a calf injury to play in the Week 17 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he aggravated the injury and will now miss the final game of the year. The 25-year-old was acquired from the New York Jets for two first-round picks and receiver Adonai Mitchell at the trade deadline. In 11 total games with the Jets and Colts this year, Gardner had 36 total tackles and nine pass breakups. It was a lot to give up for Gardner, and the Colts didn't even end up making the postseason after quarterback Daniel Jones' season-ending torn Achilles. With Gardner out in Week 18, the Colts' secondary will be more vulnerable against C.J. Stroud and the Texans' offense.

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) exited during the second half of Sunday's Week 17 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team listed him as questionable, but he never returned to the contest. He finished Sunday's game with three tackles and one pass defended. It's too early to tell whether Gardner will play in Week 18 against the Houston Texans, but the fact that Indianapolis never officially ruled him out is encouraging. With that said, the Colts have been eliminated from playoff contention, so they have no reason to rush him back if he's not 100 percent healthy. Mekhi Blackmon, Johnathan Edwards, and Jaylon Jones should earn more defensive snaps if Gardner doesn't play next weekend.

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) is officially active for Sunday's contest against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17. Although the Colts have officially been eliminated from the playoffs, Gardner will make his return to the field on Sunday after missing the last three games due to a calf injury. It's a notable boost for the Colts' defense as they go up against quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has been on a tear in his last four games (12 touchdowns, no interceptions). There's a good chance that Gardner will follow receiver Jakobi Meyers around, which could open up more pass-catching opportunities for Brian Thomas Jr. and Parker Washington, who had a career day last Sunday in the win over the Denver Broncos. Gardner's return this weekend won't suddenly make the Colts' defense/special teams unit worth starting in fantasy football lineups.

Indianapolis Colts defensive back Sauce Gardner (calf) is listed as questionable, but is expected to suit up in Week 17, according to Ian Rapoport. Gardner appears ready to make his return after missing each of the last three games due to a calf injury. His return to the field will be a significant boost for this defense against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts are certainly going to need Gardner if they plan to slow down the red-hot Trevor Lawrence. Fantasy managers with IDP seem to be safe to get Gardner into their lineups. The Colts defense is a risky streaming choice even with Gardner on Sunday.

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) has officially been ruled out for Monday night's matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, according to Mike Chappell of FOX 59. The star cornerback hasn't practiced since suffering a calf strain in the Colts' Week 13 loss to the Houston Texans and will miss his third consecutive game. The 25-year-old played in just two full games since the Colts acquired him for two first-round picks and Adonai Mitchell at this year's trade deadline. Gardner's injury was described as week-to-week, and the team is hopeful that he can return before the end of the regular season, though with the Colts' playoff hopes dwindling, it's possible he is shut down with only two games remaining after this week.

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) will not play in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Gardner will miss a second straight game with a calf injury, but he's expected to return before the end of the regular season, and he could make it back as soon as Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football on Dec. 22. The Colts paid a hefty price to land the 25-year-old defensive back from the New York Jets at the trade deadline, but he's only been able to play in three games for Indy. In 10 games this season, Gardner has 33 tackles (26 solo) and eight pass breakups. Mekhi Blackmon and Johnathan Edwards will continue to see more playing time in the Colts' defensive backfield with Gardner out. Not having Gardner against Seattle receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba this weekend could prove costly.

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. Gardner did not practice this week after suffering a calf injury in the Colts' Week 13 loss to the Houston Texans. Head coach Shane Steichen said earlier this week that the star cornerback was going to "miss some time," but he is expected to avoid being placed on Injured Reserve. It's unfortunate news for the Colts after acquiring Gardner for two future first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell at the trade deadline, but he at least seems to have avoided a season-ending injury. Indy's secondary will be a little more vulnerable this weekend in a battle for first place in the AFC South versus the Jags.

The Indianapolis Colts are not considering putting All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) on Injured Reserve at the moment, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. Head coach Shane Steichen said that Gardner did not damage his Achilles in Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans, but his calf injury is expected to sideline him for an undetermined length of time. If the 25-year-old defensive back went on IR, he'd be required to miss at least four games. Overall, it's good news for Gardner, but the Colts are prepared for him to miss some time, potentially several weeks. In his three games in Indy since being acquired in a trade from the New York Jets, Gardner has 13 tackles (11 solo) and two pass breakups. The Colts' secondary will be more vulnerable this weekend for a huge divisional contest against the first-place Jacksonville Jaguars.

Indianapolis Colts defensive back Sauce Gardner (calf) is considered week-to-week after injuring his calf in Sunday's 20-16 loss to their division-rival Houston Texans, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Gardner was forced out of Week 13's home clash early due to a non-contact injury, so the fact that it's just a sprain is excellent news for the team. However, the issue is considered "mild," and the "hope" is that the fourth-year pro will be able to return by the end of the regular season, Rapoport notes. For now, teammates Mekhi Blackmon and Jaylon Jones figure to see increased playing time in Gardner's stead. While he'll miss some time, it's fortunate that the 25-year-old avoided a significant injury.

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) was forced to exit early from his team's Week 13 loss to the Houston Texans after suffering a calf strain. Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports that Gardner's injury has "been described as a mild calf strain" and that it will "likely sideline him for a couple of weeks." Gardner's injury initially looked as though it could be potentially season-ending, so the diagnosis is a positive one overall. Still, Indianapolis has lost three out of its last four games and may now be without its star cornerback for crucial games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks over the next two weeks. Entering Week 13, Pro Football Focus had graded Gardner as the 12th-best corner in the NFL out of 108 qualified players at the position for his work this season. If all goes according to plan, it appears Gardner may be on track to return in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers.