Colts Announce Bad News Ahead of Sauce Gardner Debut
The Indianapolis Colts are overseas, preparing for their Week 10 matchup in Berlin, Germany. The Colts will challenge their 7-2 record against the 3-5 Atlanta Falcons. Coming out of the trade deadline, the Colts pushed their chips in by acquiring CB Sauce Gardner while the Falcons stood pat.
Gardner is expected to make his debut with the Colts on Sunday. However, a recent injury to DeForest Buckner is causing the team to make a corresponding transaction.
Colts Place DeForest Buckner on IR
On Friday, the Colts made an announcement regarding Buckner.
“The Colts on Friday placed defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (neck) on injured reserve,” the Colts press release states. “Meaning, he will miss at least the next four games; he will be eligible to return starting in Week 15.”
This comes on the heels of a report from Thursday. The other report revealed that Buckner would not be travelling with the team.
“On the Thursday injury report, the Colts have already ruled out defensive tackle DeForest Buckner with a neck injury,” Paul Bretl of Colts Wire wrote on November 6, 2025. “The team is flying to Berlin, Germany (on) Thursday night and will be holding a walkthrough practice on Friday. Buckner will not be traveling with the team.”
The 6-foot-7, 295 lb defensive tackle has four sacks and 42 tackles in the 2025 regular season.
Sauce Gardner’s Debut for the Colts
The other significant move on defense is the addition of Gardner. The former New York Jets cornerback will look to prove himself.
On Thursday, Gardner cleared concussion protocol. That confirms he will suit up for the first time as a member of the Colts on Sunday.
To say that Gardner is excited to make his debut is a bit of an understatement. In the team released transcript of his first media availability, he described his feelings on coming to the Colts and what the last few days have been like for him.
“This was a great situation. God just keeps blessing me in many ways…it just worked out perfect.” Gardner said via the team-published transcript. “I’ve barely slept. 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.”
Gardner on His Colts Debut
With Gardner set to play his first Colts game on Sunday, he’s putting the onus on himself to ensure he knows every play inside and out. He will lean on his new teammates, but he’s not relying on them to ensure he understands everything he needs to.
His expectations for the Week 10 matchup are simple:
“To go out there and ball. Go out there and be vocal, make it like I’ve been here already,” Gardner told the media present on November 6. “That’s the main thing for me, not being somebody where it’s like, you gotta overcommunicate to me because you might think that I don’t know what we’re playing and stuff like that.”
“It’s my job to get everything and understand everything we’re about to play on Sunday in the short stint of time that I have.”
The Colts vs Falcons game will be broadcast at 9:30 AM EST. It will be available to watch on NFL+ and the NFL Network.
Caleb Kerney Caleb covers the NHL for Heavy.com. He has covered professional hockey since 2022, including bylines at Dobber Prospects, The Hockey Writers, and The Hockey News. More about Caleb Kerney
Garrett Crochet Makes Bold Statement: Rejects Million-Dollar Gambling Deals, Says 'I Won’t Sell My Soul for Sponsorships'
Chicago, IL — November 2025
In a jaw-dropping move that has left the sports world buzzing, Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet has turned down multiple six-figure sponsorship offers from some of the biggest gambling companies in the industry. His refusal to partner with the booming gambling sector has sent shockwaves through Major League Baseball, challenging the ever-growing presence of betting giants in professional sports.
As gambling sponsorships explode across the league, Crochet’s rejection is not just a personal decision—it’s a bold public statement that cuts against the grain of the modern sports marketing machine. In a world where athletes are cashing in on endorsements from casinos, betting apps, and sportsbooks, Crochet has chosen to stand alone, prioritizing personal values over financial gain.
“I was offered a lot of money, more than most people would turn down,” Crochet confessed in a recent explosive interview. “But I won’t sell my soul for sponsorships. I’m not going to put my name behind something I don’t believe in. This is about integrity. It’s bigger than just baseball—it’s about sending the right message to the next generation.”
MLB’s relationship with the gambling industry has become one of the most controversial topics in modern sports. With leagues like MLB embracing massive sponsorship deals from betting companies, many have raised concerns about the long-term impact on players, fans, and the integrity of the game. Yet, Crochet’s brave stance is a rare, and perhaps groundbreaking, rejection of the money-fueled tide sweeping through the league.
“Gambling has become a juggernaut in this sport, and I get it. The money is huge,” Crochet continued. “But for me, it’s about doing the right thing, even if it’s not the easy thing. These companies, they don’t care about the fans who get sucked into this addiction. They don’t care about the kids watching on TV who think it’s normal to bet on every play. I care about my fans, and I’m not going to be part of that.”
Crochet’s decision has sparked a massive backlash, with some critics accusing him of “leaving money on the table” and “hurting his brand.” But in a time when athletes are often criticized for their lack of activism, Crochet’s refusal to align himself with gambling companies has earned him widespread praise as a true leader with unwavering principles. His stance has ignited a conversation about the growing ethical dilemma athletes face as sports betting continues to take center stage in the industry.
“This is a career-defining moment for Garrett Crochet,” said a former MLB executive. “In a league where athletes are quick to sign lucrative endorsement deals with gambling companies, Crochet is drawing a line in the sand. This move may cost him millions, but he’s making a statement that goes beyond baseball.”
Crochet, who has quickly become one of the most promising young arms in MLB, is setting a new standard for what it means to be a role model. His decision to decline these lucrative sponsorship offers is about more than just one player’s integrity; it’s about changing the narrative around the commercialization of professional sports and the gambling industry's encroachment on every corner of the game.
The timing of Crochet’s decision is especially significant as the White Sox prepare for a pivotal stretch that could determine their postseason hopes. With all eyes on him, Crochet's refusal to endorse gambling companies is positioning him as one of the most compelling figures in baseball, not just for his performance on the mound, but for his unflinching stance off it.
“MLB is flooded with gambling ads—on the field, on social media, everywhere,” Crochet added. “But I’m not going to be part of that. I’m here to play baseball, and I want to inspire the next generation to be better than that. My legacy isn’t about money or who I’m sponsored by. It’s about how I carried myself.”
As the gambling industry continues to carve out its place in professional sports, Garrett Crochet’s rejection serves as a powerful reminder that some athletes are willing to make personal sacrifices for the sake of their values. His message is clear: no endorsement deal is worth compromising one’s integrity—and that’s a lesson worth remembering, both on and off the field.
