Colts' DeForest Buckner gives potential timeline to return from injury

TL;DR

DeForest Buckner of the Colts is recovering from a neck injury and aims to return for training camp in July. He recently resumed running after undergoing surgery in January.

Key points

DeForest Buckner plays for the Indianapolis Colts.
He missed most of the second half of the 2025 season due to a neck injury.
Buckner underwent surgery in January.
He has recently returned to running.
He aims to be ready for training camp in July.

DeForest BucknerIndianapolis ColtsSan Francisco

Speaking with the media on Tuesday, as the Indianapolis Colts' offseason workout program begins, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner provided an injury update as he recovers from a neck injury sustained last season.

Buckner missed most of the second half of the 2025 season with a neck injury. He returned in Week 16 to face San Francisco, but was placed on injured reserve later that week after reaggravating the injury.

Buckner then underwent surgery in early January.

According to ESPN's Stephen Holder, Buckner believes that being available for training camp in July remains possible. Buckner added that he just returned to running this week.

When on the field, Buckner remained a highly productive defensive tackle. Even with missing nearly the entire second half of the season, Buckner was third on the Colts in quarterback pressures.

Compared to the defensive tackle position group league-wide, Buckner ranks 24th in pass rush win rate and 14th in PFF's run stop rate metric.

Along with getting Buckner back, GM Chris Ballard prioritized adding to the defensive line unit this offseason, signing defensive ends Arden Key and Micheal Clemons in free agency, along with defensive tackles Jerry Tillery and Derrick Nnadi. Ballard also traded for .

Q&A

What injury did DeForest Buckner sustain last season?

DeForest Buckner sustained a neck injury that caused him to miss most of the second half of the 2025 season.

When does DeForest Buckner expect to return to training camp?

DeForest Buckner believes he could be available for training camp in July.

What surgery did DeForest Buckner undergo?

DeForest Buckner underwent surgery for his neck injury in early January.