INDIANAPOLIS — Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner avoided an Achilles injury in Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans but will be sidelined for an undetermined period of time with a left calf injury, coach Shane Steichen said Monday.
Gardner, traded to Indianapolis from the New York Jets last month in a stunning transaction, sustained the injury on the first defensive series against Houston, prompting fears that he might have sustained a dreaded Achilles tear.
Gardner could not initially walk without assistance and did not return to the game. He was provided crutches by the team’s medical staff but was later able to walk gingerly without assistance after the game. After further examination Monday, the news was positive, Steichen said.
“His Achilles is good to go, but he’ll probably miss some time,” he said of Gardner. “How much time? I do not know at the moment.”
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Placing Gardner on injured reserve, which would require him to miss a minimum of four games, is not a consideration, Steichen said. The Colts (8-4) have five regular-season games remaining and are in a fight for a spot in the AFC playoff field.
Gardner’s absence changes things for the Colts. They had intended to use him and fellow standout cornerback Charvarius Ward in static roles on the right and left sides of the defense, respectively. But Gardner’s injury upended that plan, with Ward switching roles Sunday and following Houston’s top receiver, Nico Collins, around the formation. That made for a much heavier lift.
“Just having to rise to the occasion,” Ward said Monday. “I don’t think I played well. … I’ll get better, though.”
Collins had five catches for 98 yards in the game. It was just the second game with Gardner and Ward paired in the Colts’ backfield, with Ward having returned from injured reserve just one week earlier.
“It hurt to see him go down on the second play of the game,” Ward said.
On Sunday, Gardner expressed frustration with missing most of the game, which the Colts lost 20-16.
“Just wishing I could be out there,” he said.
