With DeForest Buckner out for at least the next four games, what’s next for the Indianapolis Colts at the defensive tackle position?
Buckner was ruled out of Sunday’s game on Thursday due to a neck injury. The team then placed him on injured reserve. He will be eligible to return in Week 15 against Seattle.
To state the obvious, this is a big loss for the Colts’ defense. Buckner brought a do-it-all presence up front, ranking second on the team in pressures, according to PFF, and first on the team run defense tackles.
In terms of attempting to fill that void, Neville Gallimore and Adetomiwa Adebawore will play larger roles next to Grover Stewart.
Compared to previous seasons, the Colts’ defensive tackle depth has improved this year, but that doesn’t mean making up for Buckner’s absence will be easy.
In rotational roles, Adebawore and Gallimore have combined for 23 pressures and five sacks this season. Both will help fill the pass-rushing role without Buckner.
However, for what it’s worth, neither player has graded out that well against the run by PFF’s metrics, and the vast majority of their snaps have come against the pass.
So, on more obvious running downs, that could mean more opportunities for Eric Johnson to align next to Stewart.
The Colts have struggled to generate a steady pass rush overall this season, ranking 29th in ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric. But helping this unit will be the addition of Sauce Gardner at cornerback.
Of course, better coverage means more time to get home, but Gardner’s presence also allows Lou Anarumo to call a more aggressive game within the front seven, providing the defensive tackle position with some additional help in Buckner’s absence.
No one player can make up for not having Buckner on the field — his impact cannot be overstated. So instead, to minimize not having him, it will take a group effort, from really the entire defense, as well as Anarumo and how he calls games.
Indianapolis Colts’ defensive tackle depth chart with DeForest Buckner on injured reserve
You can find the Colts’ full unofficial depth chart here.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: What’s next for Colts at defensive tackle with DeForest Buckner on injured reserve?
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
