Does the Sauce Gardner trade prove Colts’ commitment to Daniel Jones? (1:07)Louis Riddick analyzes the Colts’ commitment to Daniel Jones after their trade for Sauce Gardner. (1:07)
Gardner has also cleared the concussion protocol, paving the way for him to make his Colts debut Sunday in Berlin against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Colts later ruled out DeForest Buckner after deciding that the star defensive would not travel with the team because of a neck injury.
Along with Gardner, the struggling franchise sent defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys. Williams’ brother, Quincy, an All-Pro defensive tackle in 2023 who was the subject of trade rumors before Tuesday’s deadline, also said Wednesday he had lost his starting job with New York.
“I enjoyed my time in New York,” he said. “I just want to give a shout-out to the guys that were there that drafted me, and the guys that was there, obviously, when I got my extension and everything like that, and my teammates who I went through so much with.”
The Colts gave up receiver Adonai Mitchell and two first-round draft picks to get one of the league’s premier cover cornerbacks. Gardner was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons with New York, and though he hasn’t played as well last season or this year, a fresh start with a different defense could help him return to his All-Pro form.
“He’s already one of the guys. You would have thought he’s been here for a year,” defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson said. “The way he communicates in walk-throughs and the way guys talk to him on the field, it’s like he’s already fitting in and assimilating.”
He went from the Jets (1-7), a contender for next year’s No. 1 draft pick, to the Colts (7-2), who appear poised to snap a four-year playoff drought. Gardner has yet to play in the postseason.
The Colts hope Gardner, the No. 4 overall selection in the 2022 draft, will solidify their most glaring weakness — a pass defense ranked in the bottom quarter of the league.
Indy expected better results when general manager Chris Ballard invested heavily in two free agents, Pro Bowl cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Cam Bynum. But injuries have decimated the Colts’ secondary.
Indy lost two promising rookies with season-ending injuries in training camp, and cornerback Jaylon Jones landed on injured reserve one game into the season. Pro Bowl cornerback Kenny Moore II also missed time with an Achilles tendon injury, though he has returned, and two-time league interceptions champ Xavien Howard’s attempted comeback ended with his retirement after just four games. Ward is on injured reserve recovering from a concussion.
“It’s a great group of guys already here, and that’s what makes it even more special,” Gardner said. “Dominant offense, dominant defense. I’m just grateful to be a part of something special that they were already building here. I look to just add a lot on and off the field here.”
Does the Sauce Gardner trade prove Colts’ commitment to Daniel Jones? (1:07)Louis Riddick analyzes the Colts’ commitment to Daniel Jones after their trade for Sauce Gardner. (1:07)
Louis Riddick analyzes the Colts’ commitment to Daniel Jones after their trade for Sauce Gardner. (1:07)
Sauce Gardner enjoyed playing for the New York Jets.
Buckner, who has been the centerpiece of the defense this season, has four sacks.
The flurry of activity by the Jets caught many off-guard.
It hasn’t taken Gardner long to make an impression on his new teammates and coaches.
When Ward returns, the Colts’ top three cornerbacks would all have Pro Bowl resumes.
ESPN’s Stephen Holder and The Associated Press contributed to this report.