Oct 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) looks on before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

The Indianapolis Colts gave the starting quarterback job to veteran Daniel Jones over Anthony Richardson after a camp battle, and have not looked back since. Jones has had a resurgent year similar to the one that Sam Darnold had a season ago with the Minnesota Vikings.

Jones has led the Colts to the best offense in the league, and the Colts’ trade deadline move for cornerback Sauce Gardner indicates that the franchise fully believes he can lead them to the promised land.

However, Indianapolis’s defense has been shaky throughout the first half of the seaosn, putting even more onus on Jones to be dialed in. Last weekend’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers showed just how dicey things can get for the Colts if they don’t bring their best on offense every week.

Unfortunately for Jones and the rest of the Colts offense, things are going to be even on their shoulders forward, as they’re now without one of the defense’s most important pieces for this Sunday’s international game against the Atlanta Falcons, per one prominent insider.

“Colts DE DeForest Buckner (neck) will not travel with the team to Berlin and is out for Sunday’s game,” reported NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Thursday.

Fans reacted to the news on social media.

“WHOA This is a huge loss for the Colts defense,” one fan wrote on Twitter.

“Certainly helps the Falcons who might be decimated at guard,” another fan added.

It’ll be interesting to see if Jones can lead the Colts to their eigth win of the season with so much pressure on his shoulders.

About Qwame Skinner

Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.