Buckner's Neck Injury Journey: Back to the Colts

0:00It's April 21st. Welcome in. This is NFL News Today, where football meets AI. DeForest Buckner, the 32-year-old all pro-defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts, just shared how a nasty neck injury nearly ended his. NFL career. Last season, a herniated disc pinched a nerve, knocking him out for 7 of the team's final 8 games. That marked his 10th year in the league and his fewest games ever at just 10. Here this week, in his first media chats in surgery, Buckner talked about trying stem cell treatment in Panama during the by-week and playing. One more game before realizing he needed the knife. It hit hard during a week 9 loss in Pittsburgh, leaving his left side so weak he could barely do a push-up. Buckner got real about the dark thoughts that crept in, wondering if he'd ever play again, but leaning on family pulled him through. Post-surgery, he couldn't even lift his two young sons or infant daughter for weeks, which hit him deep as a team captain. Now he's ramping up rehab, just starting to run and feeling good about hitting training

1:04camp. Everything points to him suiting up by week 1 for the final year of his 2-year 46-million dollar deal. Buckner's grit means the Colts get their anchor back, tweaking his technique but all in to dominate in 2026.