Colts DT DeForest Buckner (neck) to have season-ending surgery

Field Level Media|published: Fri 26th December, 14:17 2025

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Deforest Buckner (99) points up while running onto the field Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will undergo season-ending surgery on a herniated disc after aggravating his neck injury.

Head coach Shane Steichen announced the update on Friday for Buckner, 31, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who only recently returned from injured reserve.

Buckner recorded five tackles in Monday night's 48-27 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, his first appearance since a 27-20 loss at Pittsburgh on Nov. 2.

He missed five games on IR with a neck injury. Prior to that, he had only missed six games to injury throughout his 10-year NFL career, with five of those coming in 2024 due to an ankle injury.

Buckner finishes the season with 4.0 sacks, 47 tackles and 13 quarterback hits in 10 games (all starts). He will be placed on IR but is expected to return next season, Steichen said.

He has 71.5 sacks, 10 fumble recoveries and 652 tackles in 151 games (146 starts) with San Francisco (2016-19) and Indianapolis. The 49ers drafted him with the No. 7 overall pick in 2016.

After a promising start, the Colts (8-7) have lost five consecutive games and are on the brink of playoff elimination entering Sunday's home game against the division-leading Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4).

In addition to Buckner, Indianapolis has ruled out center Tanor Bortolini (concussion), wide receiver Anthony Gould (foot), tight end Drew Ogletree (neck) and defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau (oblique).

--Field Level Media

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