INDIANAPOLIS — The big news for the Indianapolis Colts this week is that rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson is out due to a season-ending shoulder surgery.
Dave Calabro asked defensive lineman DeForest Buckner about it this week on "Inside the Huddle."
"Yeah, I mean, it's tough, you know what I mean?" Buckner said. "Obviously we're in a game where it's 100% you're gonna get injured sometime, some way ... it's just an unfortunate situation because Anthony was doing really well. You know, we just wish him the best, you know what I mean, to have a successful surgery and get back as quick as possible."
Quarterback Gardner Minshew got the start in Jacksonville last Sunday, a game that saw the Colts fall 37-20.
"Collectively, as a whole group, we had a tough game, you know what I mean? And Gardner had a tough game and, you know what, the type of competitor he is, he's gonna learn from it. He goes out there and competes his butt off every day, you know, just like us," Buckner said.
Colts defensive lineman Grover Stewart is now out for six games. The NFL suspended Stewart for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Buckner called it an unfortunate situation.
"I know Grover would never, you know, would never intentionally put our team or himself in that position. We're all behind Grover and, you know, we're gonna make sure we hold down the fort until he gets back," Buckner said.
Up next for the Colts is a home matchup Sunday with the Cleveland Browns. We probably won't learn who the Browns will start at quarterback until later this week. Deshaun Watson has missed the last two games with a shoulder injury. P.J. Walker led the Browns to a 19-17 win over previously undefeated San Francisco last Sunday.
"We've got to prepare and control the things we can control," Buckner said. "You know the run game is working pretty well with them so far, so, you know, we got to stop the run."
Each Wednesday on Inside the Huddle, we'll have the Riley Kid of the Week.
"Today we've got Lucy. She's from Carmel. She had four surgeries, and she's going good, and I'll see you at the coin toss!" Buckner said.
Inside the Huddle is brought to you by Republic Airways Lift Academy. Each week, Republic makes a donation to Riley Hospital for Children in honor of DeForest Buckner.