DeForest Buckner injury update: Colts DT is eligible to return from injured reserve

INDIANAPOLIS — An embattled Colts defense has a chance to get its leader back soon.

Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is now eligible to return from injured reserve after missing the past four games due to a high ankle sprain suffered against Green Bay.

And although it is unclear if Buckner is ready to return, Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen did not dismiss the possibility of Buckner returning to practice.

“We’re having those conversations now,” Steichen said. “We’ll have a decision here shortly.”

Buckner can be designated to return without playing in Sunday’s game against the Dolphins.

When a player is designated to return, it opens a 21-day window for the player to practice before the team decides to either activate him to the 53-man roster or get placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Buckner has not spoken publicly since the injury, but he has posted videos of himself going through workouts on social media, and he did some pregame work on the field in Tennessee with a brace on his right ankle.

The Colts defense desperately needs its leader back.

Indianapolis has not recorded a sack in the past nine quarters, and the defense is ranked in the bottom quarter of the league in most statistical categories. Buckner, who had 1.5 sacks in the season opener, has 34 sacks in 68 games with the Colts.

Colts DT DeForest Buckner injury

DeForest Buckner suffered a high ankle sprain the Colts' Week 2 game vs Green Bay. High ankle sprains generally take 4-6 weeks to recover from, putting Buckner at the short end of that recovery.

Colts DT DeForest Buckner stats

Buckner has 7 tackles and 1.5 sacks in two games this season with two quarterback hits.

Colts DT DeForest Buckner contract

DeForest Buckner signed a 2-year, $46 million contract extension with an $18 million signing bonus.

Colts DT DeForest Buckner height

DeForest Buckner is 6-7. The tallest player to appear in an NFL game this season is Detroit's Dan Skipper, he is 6-9.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: DeForest Buckner injury update: Colts DT is eligible to return from injured reserve