Colts GM Chris Ballard offers injury updates for other key rehabbing players

TL;DR

Colts GM Chris Ballard provided injury updates on key players, including quarterback Daniel Jones and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Jones is optimistic about being ready for training camp, while Buckner's neck injury remains a concern.

Key points

Colts GM Chris Ballard provided injury updates.
Daniel Jones is recovering from a torn Achilles.
DeForest Buckner's neck injury is a major concern.
Shrader and Grupe will compete for the kicker position.
Rookies Walley and Wohler are projected starters despite injuries.

Indianapolis ColtsDaniel JonesDeForest BucknerBlake Grupe

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 02: DeForest Buckner #99 of the Indianapolis Colts in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 2, 2025 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images Indianapolis Colts longtime general manager Chris Ballard offered an injury update to other key players, **beyond just lead wideout Alec Pierce**, including to starting quarterback Daniel Jones and veteran defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (via Fox59/CBS4’s Mike Chappell): Regarding Jones, he was recently **‘seen at the Masters walking around,’** and while it may have been earlier posturing for his prior contract negotiation, his camp is optimistic that he’ll be ready for the start of training camp—having suffered a torn Achilles late last season during Week 14 and undergone surgery soon thereafter. Of the group, Buckner’s lingering injury status to his neck may be the biggest question mark as the 2026 season approaches. The 32-year-old veteran defensive tackle returned after initially suffering a neck injury in Week 9 of 2025, but didn’t look right in Week 16 and was subsequently placed on injured reserve again. This time for the remainder of the past season. Neck injuries are always serious, so this is one to watch going forward, especially to a longtime veteran player. Shrader figures to be ready for training camp, after suffering a knee injury during Week 5 of last year. However, he’s expected to face a highly contested training camp and preseason kicking competition against for the Colts 2026 starting kicking job, as Grupe performed very well in relief of Shrader last season. Lastly, rookie cornerback Justin Walley and safety Hunter Wohler were two of the Colts standout performers of last year’s training camp, before each was lost to a season-ending injury before their debut campaigns even started for Indianapolis. Walley is a big reason why Colts veteran cornerback is now expendable in trade talks, and Wohler as to why Indianapolis decided to let former starting safety depart in free agency without much resistance financially. It speaks to how the Colts feel about both of them, as they’re now projected defensive back starters in their once again revamped secondary headed into 2026, even with 0 career starts between them.

Q&A

What is the injury status of Colts quarterback Daniel Jones?

Daniel Jones is optimistic about being ready for training camp after recovering from a torn Achilles.

How serious is DeForest Buckner's neck injury for the Colts?

DeForest Buckner's neck injury is a significant concern as he was placed on injured reserve and his status remains uncertain.

Which Colts players are expected to compete for the starting kicker position?

Shrader and Blake Grupe are expected to compete for the Colts' starting kicker position in training camp.

Colts GM Chris Ballard offers injury updates for other key rehabbing players

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

Related Articles

Jefferson blunt on McCarthy with Kyler a Viking

UNC’s Seth Trimble enters portal as he pursues extra year

5 increasingly bold predictions for the 2026 NFL Draft

Justin Jefferson: J.J. McCarthy needs to 'lock in' with Kyler Murray now a Viking

Vote now for The News Tribune’s Track & Field Athlete of the Week (April 13 to 18)

Way-too-early 2026-27 national high school girls basketball rankings

More from Sports