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Colts star out for Week 3 game versus Bears

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Chris Lewis
September 18, 2024  (10:20)
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DeForest Buckner
Photo credit: Sportsnet

DeForest Buckner's absence: A glimmer of hope for the Bears' offensive line.

As the Chicago Bears gear up for their upcoming Sunday clash in Indianapolis, they catch a significant break; the Colts will be without one of their defensive keystones, DeForest Buckner. The announcement came this Tuesday that Buckner, the Colts' star defensive end, has been sidelined onto injured reserve due to a high right ankle sprain sustained in Week 2 against the Packers. The injury benches him for at least four weeks, removing a major threat from the Colts' defense.

At 30 years old, Buckner has been a consistent force on the field, coming off a season where he notched his sixth consecutive year with at least seven sacks. Last season's impressive stats included eight sacks, 81 tackles, seven passes defended, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. Although early into this season, he has already accumulated 1.5 sacks and seven tackles.

The absence of Buckner might be seen as a silver lining for the Bears, whose offensive line has faced considerable challenges this season, arguably more than any other group on the team. The Bears' offensive woes are highlighted by quarterback Caleb Williams, who is tied for the NFL lead in sacks with nine takedowns. Out of his 48 dropbacks in the last game, Williams faced pressure on nearly half, resulting in seven sacks for a loss of 40 yards against the Texans.

Despite the Colts' overall struggle with quarterback pressures this season-ranking 20th in the NFL with only four sacks-the absence of Buckner could be just the reprieve the Bears' offensive line needs to regroup and protect their quarterback more effectively. This upcoming game could potentially turn the tide for the Bears' season, offering a chance to refine their strategy without the looming threat of Buckner breaking through their lines.

Source: nbcsportschicagoColts defensive gem DeForest Buckner sidelined for Week 3 contest against Bears

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Colts star out for Week 3 game versus Bears

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