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Stephen HolderNov 30, 2025, 01:53 PM ET
- Stephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and NFL at large. Stephen finished first place in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition, and he is a previous top-10 winner in explanatory journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest. He has chronicled the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2013 and the Colts since 2013. He has previously worked for the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner sustained a left calf injury early in Sunday's game against the Houston Texans and has been ruled out for the remainder of the day.
Gardner was in coverage away from the action on the Texans' second play from scrimmage when he went down with a noncontact injury. He remained on the ground for an extended period while trainers dealt with him, then limped off with assistance. After a quick examination in the injury tent, Gardner was helped to the locker room.
The news comes in Gardner's third game with Indianapolis since he was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the New York Jets. Gardner, the fourth overall pick in the 2022 draft and a two-time first-team All-Pro selection, was traded to the Colts for two first-round picks and receiver Adonai Mitchell.
Sunday was going to be just the second game pairing Gardner with fellow cornerback Charvarius Ward, who was signed during the offseason on a three-year contract averaging $18 million. Ward had been on injured reserve after back-to-back concussions.
