Speaking with the media on Tuesday, as the Indianapolis Colts' offseason workout program begins, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner provided an injury update as he recovers from a neck injury sustained last season.Buckner missed most of the second half of the 2025 season with a neck injury. He returned in Week 16 to face San Francisco, but was placed on injured reserve later that week after reaggravating the injury.Buckner then underwent surgery in early January.According to ESPN's Stephen Holder, Buckner believes that being available for training camp in July remains possible. Buckner added that he just returned to running this week.Colts DT DeForest Buckner who is recovering from a painful neck injury and surgery, says he's on the mend and began running again this week.
He believes a return for training camp remains possible.— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) April 21, 2026When on the field, Buckner remained a highly productive defensive tackle. Even with missing nearly the entire second half of the season, Buckner was third on the Colts in quarterback pressures.Compared to the defensive tackle position group league-wide, Buckner ranks 24th in pass rush win rate and 14th in PFF's run stop rate metric.Along with getting Buckner back, GM Chris Ballard prioritized adding to the defensive line unit this offseason, signing defensive ends Arden Key and Micheal Clemons in free agency, along with defensive tackles Jerry Tillery and Derrick Nnadi. Ballard also traded for Colby Wooden.This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: DeForest Buckner injury: Timeline to return for Colts' DT