Tag: Sauce Gardner

Colts CB Sauce Gardner (calf) does not practice Wednesday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner was listed as a non-participant in the team’s Wednesday walkthrough ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Colts coach Shane Steichen was “hopeful” Gardner could return this week after missing the last three games with a calf strain. However, Gardner would have been out if there was a full practice Wednesday.

Gardner has played just three games with Indianapolis since the Colts sent two first-round picks to the New York Jets to acquire him on Nov. 4. In those three games, he has 13 tackles and two pass breakups.

Over four seasons, the two-time Pro Bowler and fourth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has started all 58 games he has played with 214 tackles, three interceptions, 48 pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Additionally, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (neck) was a non-participant after returning from injured reserve in Monday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Running back Tyler Goodson (ankle), wide receiver Anthony Gould (foot), tight end Drew Ogletree (neck), center Tanor Bortolini (concussion), guard Dalton Tucker (shoulder) and defensive end JT Tuimoloau (oblique) also sat out, while reserve quarterback Anthony Richardson (eye) was limited.

Indianapolis (8-7) has lost five straight games and six of seven since its 7-1 start and would be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Jaguars.

–Field Level Media

Reports: Colts CB Sauce Gardner (calf) is week-to-week

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts star cornerback Sauce Gardner’s MRI on his calf revealed that he will be sidelined week-to-week with the injury, multiple media outlets reported Monday morning.

It is not expected to be a long-term injury for Gardner, who was hurt two defensive snaps into Indianapolis’ 20-16 loss to the visiting Houston Texans on Sunday. The Colts hope he can return prior to the end of the regular season, per NFL Network.

“Felt like I got shot in the calf or something,” he said after the game. “But it was high. I wasn’t thinking the worst.”

Gardner, 25, hobbled away from a pass completion on Houston’s second play from scrimmage. He had to be helped to the locker room.

“I think it’s a strain,” he said. “I don’t think it’s an Achilles or nothing like that.”

Houston led 3-0 after the first quarter when Indianapolis officially ruled Gardner out for the rest of the game. The two-time All-Pro returned to the sideline with a walking boot on his left foot.

Gardner was acquired from the New York Jets on Nov. 4 in a trade deadline deal that cost Indianapolis two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.

The Jets selected Gardner with the fourth overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he went on to win Defensive Rookie of the Year honors with 75 tackles, two interceptions and a league-leading 20 passes defensed in 17 starts.

He was first-team All-Pro and voted to the Pro Bowl in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Gardner played seven games for the Jets this season before missing time due to a concussion. Sunday was his third game with the Colts.

Indianapolis (8-4) visits Jacksonville (8-4) next Sunday in a game between the co-leaders of the AFC South.

–Field Level Media

Colts CB Sauce Gardner out after two snaps vs. Texans

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner exited the game against the Houston Texans after two defensive snaps with a left calf injury on Sunday.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock in the first quarter with Houston ahead 3-0, the Colts officially ruled Gardner out for the remainder of the game.

He returned to the sideline with a walking boot on his left foot.

Gardner went to the locker room with each arm draped over the shoulder of medical staff as the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback was unable to put weight on his left leg.

Gardner, acquired from the New York Jets in a trade deadline deal that cost Indianapolis two first-round picks, hobbled away from a pass completion on Houston’s second play from scrimmage.

The Texans had a significant injury of their own in the opening quarter. Starting running back Woody Marks shuffled to the blue medical tent with a left foot injury before being taken the locker room. He was listed as questionable to return.

Since adding Gardner, the Colts lead the NFL in percentage of snaps in man-to-man coverage, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

–Field Level Media

Colts CB Sauce Gardner clears concussion protocol ahead of game vs. Falcons

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts’ newly acquired All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner cleared concussion protocol on Thursday and is expected to play against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in Berlin.

The Colts sent first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 along with wide receiver Adonai Mitchell at the trade deadline on Tuesday to the New York Jets for Gardner, 25.

He recorded 20 tackles and six passes defensed in the first seven games this season before missing the Week 8 win at Cincinnati in concussion protocol. The Jets (1-7) had a bye last weekend. He was a full participant at the Colts’ practice on Wednesday.

Indianapolis (7-2) is tied with the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos for the best record in the NFL through nine weeks.

“I’ve barely slept,” Gardner said Wednesday of adjusting to his new team and preparing for his next game. “Every single minute that I’ve had being here in Indianapolis, I’m doing something — whether it’s with the trainings, whether it’s filling out paperwork, whether it’s practice, watching film … it’s been a crazy 48 hours. Obviously, it’s midseason, so this has been the craziest 48 hours.”

Gardner was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and is a two-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro first-team selection since being drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in 2022.

He signed a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension in July that made him the NFL’s highest-paid player at his position with a $30.1 million average annual value.

Gardner has recorded three interceptions, 46 passes defensed, 201 tackles and one forced fumble in 55 games (all starts).

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA;Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (17) runs with the ball as New York Jets cornerback Michael Carter II (30) and linebacker Quincy Williams (56) defends during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Jets’ Sauce Gardner (head), Quincy Williams (shoulder) hurt vs. Bucs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Jets top cornerback Sauce Gardner and standout linebacker Quincy Williams exited Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with injuries and will not return.

Williams suffered a left shoulder injury in the final minute of the first half when a Tampa Bay offensive lineman fell on him. He was ruled out in the third quarter.

Gardner was lost to a concussion after assisting on a tackle of Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving midway through the fourth quarter.

Gardner was examined in the medical tent and later was helped to the locker room with 5:14 remaining. New York ruled him out shortly thereafter.

Williams, 29, recorded more than 100 tackles in each of the past four seasons and was first-team All-Pro in 2023. Williams had four tackles (one for loss) and shared a sack before his departure.

Gardner had five stops against the Buccaneers. The two-time Pro Bowler is in his fourth NFL season and has three career interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) reacts to a call during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

Jets CB Sauce Gardner (groin) limited but expected to play

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner will be a limited participant again at Friday’s practice but should be OK for Sunday’s game against the visiting Buffalo Bills, coach Aaron Glenn said.

Gardner was limited in Thursday’s practice due to a groin injury.

“I think he’ll be OK,” Glenn said prior to Friday’s session.

Gardner, 25, became the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback after signing a four-year, $120.4 million extension in July.

The two-time All-Pro selection had two tackles and two passes defensed in the season-opening 34-32 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gardner lined up against Steelers receiver DK Metcalf on 30 of 34 pass plays and allowed just one catch for 11 yards, per ESPN.

Gardner has three interceptions, 42 passes defensed and 183 tackles in 49 games (all starts) since the Jets drafted him with the No. 4 overall pick in 2022.

–Field Level Media

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) hauls in an interception against Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jets held off the Jaguars 32-25. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

CB Sauce Gardner trumpets new deal with Jets

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Sauce Gardner signaled a joyful end to contract negotiations with the New York Jets on Tuesday, when he reportedly agreed to a four-year, $120.4 million contract that will make him the highest-paid player at the position.

Gardner is set to sign days after another of the Jets’ trio of 2022 first-round picks, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, agreed to a long-term extension.

“THE DEAL IS DONE. This only the beginning,” Gardner wrote on his Twitter account. “My brother @allantegardner bts & @ajv got it done. I appreciate the Jets organization for believing in me, my teammates for the blood, sweat, & tears we put in, and JETS NATION… I appreciate y’all supporting me. Thank you GOD.”

Gardner, 24, will make $30.1 million per season. He was named an All-Pro in each of his first two years as a pro but did not have the same standout season in 2024.

Drafted fourth overall and named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022, Gardner was in line to earn more than $25 million total over the final two years of his rookie contract.

–Field Level Media

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) runs for a first down in the second quarter, Sunday, November 17, 2024, in East Rutherford.

Jets RB Breece Hall, CB Sauce Gardner doubtful vs. Dolphins

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Jets running back Breece Hall and two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner will be listed as doubtful to play in Sunday’s game against the host Miami Dolphins, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich announced.

Hall (knee) and Gardner (hamstring) did not participate in practice this week for the Jets (3-9).

Also on Friday, Ulbrich said linebacker C.J. Mosley will be placed on injured reserve due to a neck injury that he sustained in the Jets’ 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 20.

Rookie running back Braelon Allen likely will see more carries should Hall sit out against the Dolphins (5-7) on Sunday.

Hall, 23, has played through a knee injury that he sustained in New York’s 28-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 17.

He has 164 carries for 692 yards and four touchdowns this season to go along with 46 receptions for 401 yards and two scores.

Gardner, 24, has 39 tackles and one sack in 12 games (all starts) this season. He has 171 tackles and two interceptions in 45 career games (all starts) with the Jets.

Mosley, 32, has 17 tackles in four games (three starts) this season.

The five-time Pro Bowl selection has 1,083 tackles, 12 sacks, 12 interceptions and 10 forced fumbles in 133 games (132 starts) with the Baltimore Ravens (2014-18) and Jets. The Ravens selected him with the 17th overall pick in 2014 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) catches the ball during warmups before a game against the New England Patriots.

Jets CBs Gardner, Reed remain in concussion protocol

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Top New York Jets cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed remain in concussion protocol coming off the team’s bye week.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh said the team would know more Wednesday, the first official practice day for Week 8. The Jets play the New York Giants this week.

Gardner missed the Jets’ Week 6 game against Philadelphia and Reed has missed the past two games.

Gardner has 20 tackles, three passes defensed and a forced fumble in five starts this season. Last week’s missed game was his first as a pro.

Reed has 28 tackles in four games, all starts, before he was sidelined after Week 4.

Offensive tackle Duane Brown (hip) is eligible to come off injured reserve this week but Saleh did not say if he’d return to practice. Saleh also declined to give an update on right guard Joe Tippmann (quad), saying only he’s a “pretty quick healer.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) pushes New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) behind a group of players during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Report: NFL looks into Mac Jones’ alleged low blow

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL is looking into Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner’s claim that Patriots quarterback Mac Jones hit him below the belt on Sunday, NBC Sports reported.

“He reached out to me to get me to help him up. I just moved his hand out of the way. He got up and then came up to me like ‘Good job.’ While he was saying that, he hit me in my private parts,” Gardner said after New York’s 15-10 loss to New England in East Rutherford, N.J.

“I didn’t react like I really wanted to. I definitely wasn’t expecting that. First time for everything, I guess. … He’s trying to prevent me from having kids in the future.”

Video of the interaction posted to social media is inconclusive but does show Gardner reacting to whatever may have transpired by shoving Jones to the ground.

Gardner, 23, was the 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Through three games this season, he has 12 tackles, one pass defensed and one forced fumble.

Jones, 25, is in his third year with the Patriots. He has completed 81 of 125 passes for 748 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions through three starts this season.

–Field Level Media