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If given one word to describe Indianapolis Colts' defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, what would defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo choose?
He was recently asked that question while appearing on 'The Colts Show' with JJ Stankevitz.
Anarumo's choice? Well, it's quite fitting when it comes to Buckner -- consistent.
"You could use a hundred words for him," Anarumo said. "Dominant, Consistent. He's everything a professional football player at the highest level embodies because as great as he is on the field, that's how he is off the field as a dad, as a husband, as a family man in the community. Buck's everything you want, and we're so fortunate that he's recovering through this process and we're excited to see a healthy Buckner out there next year."
Against both the run and the pass, Buckner has been a force in the middle of the Colts' defense since arriving to Indianapolis. Even in an injury-shortened 2025 season, Buckner ranked 24th among defensive tackles in pass rush win rate and 14th in PFF's run stop rate metric.
However, his impact goes beyond the stat sheet, which he frequently fills up. Buckner's versatility allows Anarumo to move him around and throw different looks at opposing offenses, while the attention he draws helps create opportunities for his teammates.
"He's a mismatch waiting to happen," Anarumo added. "Last year a few times we were able to maybe stand him up, put him over the center, get in one-on-one or put him over a guard or rush him on the outside. And he's a tough guy to handle one-on-one, and so when we can create those matchups. more times than not, Buck's going to win, and you can count on that in the biggest games as we get down into late December and January into the playoff push where we didn't have him last year. I think this year he'll be rip, roar and ready to go and we can use him in those matchup situations and use them to our advantage."
Buckner missed most of the second half of the 2025 season with a neck injury. He returned in Week 16 to face San Francisco, but was placed on injured reserve later that week after reaggravating the injury. He then underwent surgery in early January.
Buckner continues to recover, and he told ESPN's Stephen Holder that being available for training camp remains possible.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Lou Anarumo's one word to describe Colts' DT DeForest Buckner
Continue reading...
He was recently asked that question while appearing on 'The Colts Show' with JJ Stankevitz.
Anarumo's choice? Well, it's quite fitting when it comes to Buckner -- consistent.
"You could use a hundred words for him," Anarumo said. "Dominant, Consistent. He's everything a professional football player at the highest level embodies because as great as he is on the field, that's how he is off the field as a dad, as a husband, as a family man in the community. Buck's everything you want, and we're so fortunate that he's recovering through this process and we're excited to see a healthy Buckner out there next year."
Against both the run and the pass, Buckner has been a force in the middle of the Colts' defense since arriving to Indianapolis. Even in an injury-shortened 2025 season, Buckner ranked 24th among defensive tackles in pass rush win rate and 14th in PFF's run stop rate metric.
However, his impact goes beyond the stat sheet, which he frequently fills up. Buckner's versatility allows Anarumo to move him around and throw different looks at opposing offenses, while the attention he draws helps create opportunities for his teammates.
"He's a mismatch waiting to happen," Anarumo added. "Last year a few times we were able to maybe stand him up, put him over the center, get in one-on-one or put him over a guard or rush him on the outside. And he's a tough guy to handle one-on-one, and so when we can create those matchups. more times than not, Buck's going to win, and you can count on that in the biggest games as we get down into late December and January into the playoff push where we didn't have him last year. I think this year he'll be rip, roar and ready to go and we can use him in those matchup situations and use them to our advantage."
Buckner missed most of the second half of the 2025 season with a neck injury. He returned in Week 16 to face San Francisco, but was placed on injured reserve later that week after reaggravating the injury. He then underwent surgery in early January.
Buckner continues to recover, and he told ESPN's Stephen Holder that being available for training camp remains possible.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Lou Anarumo's one word to describe Colts' DT DeForest Buckner
Continue reading...
