DeForest Buckner’s neck ‘responding well’ to early…

WESTFIELD, Ind. – DeForest Buckner played a handful of snaps during a full-team period of practice last week, and the veteran defensive tackle said he’s hopeful to do the same at some point during the Colts’ four remaining training camp practices this week.

More importantly, Buckner said his neck has “responded well” to his early-camp workload, including those couple 11-on-11 reps.

“I’m just feeling everything out, everything for the first time with live reps,” Buckner said.

Buckner added he felt a “little” muscle soreness, but it was to be expected. Those 11-on-11 reps last week were Buckner’s first full-team action since Dec. 22, 2025, and represented a small yet important step in the three-time Pro Bowler’s process of working toward Week 1 of the 2026 season.

With the Colts putting pads on for the first time this training camp Monday, Buckner only participated in individual work on Monday. But this is a process that, again, will take time with Sept. 13, 2026 in mind.

“Just gradually increasing my reps throughout training camp, just bridging that gap,” Buckner said. “It’s our first time in pads today, I only did (individual) today and hoping to get some reps (Tuesday).”