Friday was a good news/bad news sort of day on the injury front for the Indianapolis Colts. The good news is that star cornerback Sauce Gardner is slated to return from a left calf injury for what could be a must-win Sunday game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Colts coach Shane Steichen announced Friday. The bad news is that defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will be placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a neck injury.

Ahead of a game the Colts have to win to keep their faint playoff hopes alive — unless the Houston Texans eliminate them with a win Saturday over the Los Angeles Chargers — Steichen also said starting left tackle Bernhard Raimann (elbow) would return from a one-game absence, while ruling out starting center Tanor Bortolini (concussion), wide receiver/returner Anthony Gould (foot), tight end Drew Ogletree (neck) and defensive end JT Tuimoloau (oblique).

Gardner has been sidelined since Week 13, when he exited the Colts’ matchup with the Houston Texans after playing just two snaps. Gardner said after Indy’s eventual loss that “it felt like I got shot in the calf,” which raised questions about a potentially more serious Achilles injury. However, Steichen later confirmed that further testing revealed Gardner only suffered a calf injury, and he would need “some time” to recover.

Now, with the Colts’ playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Gardner is back.

“To get him back out there with his passion and what he brings to our football team on the backend will be huge,” Steichen said.

The Colts acquired Gardner in a blockbuster trade last month with the New York Jets. Indianapolis shipped its 2026 and 2027 first-round picks, as well as wide receiver AD Mitchell, to New York in exchange for Gardner. But the two-time first-team All-Pro has only played two full games since joining the Colts.

Indianapolis did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, but on the team’s estimated injury report, Gardner was listed as a DNP (did not practice) on Wednesday and as a limited participant Thursday. Gardner was a full participant in Friday’s practice, which was his first real practice since sustaining the calf injury.

Gardner is expected to play Sunday regardless of Indy’s playoff picture, league sources told The Athletic.

Meanwhile, Buckner is headed to IR for the second time due to the same neck injury. He will undergo “a procedure” next week, Steichen added.

Buckner initially sustained the neck injury in a Week 9 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The two-time All-Pro was placed on IR and missed the next five games while managing a herniated disc in his neck that was pressing on a nerve, he later revealed. Buckner said he “kind of lost all strength on my left side” due to his herniated disc and nerve issue, and he ultimately flew to Panama so he could receive stem cell injections in his neck to help him recover. The hope, Buckner said, was to avoid surgery, but that is no longer an option.

“Obviously, an unfortunate situation,” Steichen said of Buckner’s season-ending injury. “He embodies everything you want in a pro. He’s as good as it gets, as tough as it gets. (He) wants to be out there for his team, but, obviously, hopefully … the procedure will be good, and (he’ll) get on the field for next year.”

Buckner played 44 snaps and totaled five tackles against the 49ers on Monday, but after the game, Steichen said the team was alerted that Buckner re-injured his neck. The 31-year-old spoke candidly last week about the risk of playing through his neck injury.

“It’s one of those injuries that’s very serious,” Buckner said. “It’s definitely a heavy burden on myself (and) making a decision. Obviously, I know what’s at stake (for the team), but also I know what’s at stake for me long term in my life.”

Asked if Buckner has spoken to him about retirement, Steichen reiterated that the Colts expect him to resume his career next season. Buckner has a $26.6 million salary-cap hit in 2026 and is under contract through 2028.