Colts Will Be Without Defensive Star vs. Steelers in Week 4

The Indianapolis Colts will be without Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner for their Week 4 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Colts placed Buckner on injured reserve due to a sprained ankle in Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers, so he’ll be out for at least the next four weeks. Taven Bryan and Raekwon Davis will fill in for Buckner at DT.

Buckner is a three-time Pro Bowler and has been named All-Pro twice. In his eight-year career, he’s recorded 551 tackles (337 solos), 81 tackles for loss, 62.5 sacks, 163 quarterback hits, nine forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and 27 passes defended. Standing at 6-foot-7, 295 pounds, Buckner is a force on the Colts’ defensive line.

The Steelers’ offensive line struggled against Denver on Sunday, especially against Broncos defensive end Zach Allen who had a career-high eight pressures. Veteran right guard James Daniels, who’s usually pretty solid, had a rough afternoon. Not having to deal with Buckner in Week 4 is obviously a big break for the offensive line, given that they struggled against Allen, who’s not in the same class as Buckner.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed on Tuesday that veteran left guard Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) is getting close to returning. Seumalo suffered the pectoral injury during practice on Aug. 28 and his timetable to return was 3-4 weeks. So it appears that Seumalo is right on track in his recovery. He could be back for the game against Indianapolis.

Second-year offensive lineman Spencer Anderson has done a pretty decent job filling in for Seumalo at left guard. He struggled at times in the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, but there were not any glaring mistakes against Denver. Along with Anderson, rookies Zach Frazier and Troy Fautanu also made their first career starts over the last two games. Frazier and Fautanu have both looked outstanding thus far.

“I was pleased with Troy’s first action of the year. … We’ve got some young people that are really representing themselves in a positive way,” Tomlin said.

It will be the third straight season that the Steelers play the Colts in Indianapolis. The Steelers won by seven in 2022, while Indy beat Pittsburgh in a convincing manner last season, 30-13. Buckner recorded four tackles, two pressures, a quarterback knockdown and a sack in last year’s game. He had five tackles, no pressures and no sacks in the 2022 meeting.