Indianapolis Colts' defensive tackle DeForest Buckner has been cleared to practice once training camp begins.
Buckner appeared in only 10 games last season due to a neck injury. He then underwent surgery in late December.
"I'm excited to get back out there," Buckner said on Tuesday. "Get back on the field. Obviously, I was cleared yesterday. Everybody has a plan for getting me back on the field and I'm just excited to get back out there with the guys."
Buckner added that there will be a ramp-up period as he and the team want to be "cautious and smart" with his return to the field.
DeForest Buckner on his path to get cleared for training camp. pic.twitter.com/PzdOI9RS1Q
— Matt Taylor (@MayTayColts) July 28, 2026
Physically, Buckner feels good, but there will be some mental hurdles to overcome.
"Slowly ramping it up throughout training camp and I think a majority of this will be a mental part," Buckner said. "Physically I feel great. The doc said there have been cases throughout the league of guys having this surgery and felt better after and got back to full contact. I just truly believe with surgeries, you can be feeling physically great, but it's the mental part. Getting past that mental block of trusting yourself and trusting that everything is fine. That's probably going to be the biggest hurdle."
Buckner continued to play at a high level last season, ranking 24th among defensive tackles in pass rush win rate and 14th inPFF's run stop rate metric.
Buckner's versatility also allows Anarumo to move him around and throw different looks at opposing offenses, while the attention he draws helps create opportunities for his teammates.
"It was definitely frustrating not being able to get out there and work on my craft," Buckner said of the offseason, "but during this break that we had, I was able to do a bunch of field work and everything and going through D-line drills, going through some pop-up bags, and striking some things and I'm feeling good."
Buckner on adjusting to a new mental approach to the game coming off his neck injury. pic.twitter.com/dXdtOJsoZp
— Matt Taylor (@MayTayColts) July 28, 2026
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts' DT DeForest Buckner 'cleared' to practice as training camp begins
