Trade from 49ers still stings Buckner
Anger over deal motivating to Colts defensive tackle
Just because DeForest Buckner is happy in Indianapolis and playing as well as ever since leaving the 49ers doesn’t mean he’s gotten over being traded seven months ago.
That’s a sting that may not go away for some time.
“I was pissed. Still in shock,” Buckner recently told The Athletic when asked about the deal that sent him to the Colts in exchange for the No. 13 overall pick in the draft in April.
Buckner has used that anger as motivation while doing the same kind of damage to opposing defenses that he used to do during his four years with the 49ers.
So far, there’s no arguing with those results. Buckner is ranked fourth among all interior defensive linemen, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s got just 4.5 sacks so far, but his 19 quarterback hits are second most behind the Rams’ Aaron Donald (22) among all defensive tackles.
Buckner had a big hand in the Colts’ 26-20 win over the Texans on Sunday with two tackles for loss and two sacks. It was the sixth time Buckner had two or more sacks in a game and his first since 2018, when he led the 49ers with 12 sacks.
It was just another type of performance the Colts figured they’d be getting when they signed Buckner to a four-year, $84 million deal after acquiring him from the 49ers. Delivering more of the same is just what Buckner expects from himself.
“I’m the same DeForest I was in San Francisco. I’m just here in Indianapolis now,” Buckner told reporters this week.
Still, Buckner’s big game was a nice reminder for the Colts of what they’d been missing the previous week in a 45-26 loss to the Titans.
Here’s a look at the impact Buckner has had on the Colts:
With Buckner on the field, the Colts have the NFL’s fifthranked defense. But during the nearly 200 plays Buckner was either on the sideline or at home, the Colts defense really struggles.
With Buckner: 18 takeaways, three defensive TDs, three safeties. Without Buckner: zero takeaways, zero defensive TDs, zero safeties.
With Buckner: 5.39 yards allowed per play. Without Buckner: 6.38 yards allowed.
With Buckner: 28.7 thirddown conversion rate. Without Buckner: 35.9 thirddown conversion rate.
With Buckner: 3.3 yards allowed per carry. Without Buckner: 5.2 yards allowed per carry.
With Buckner: 6.8 percent explosive run plays given up. Without Buckner: 18.9 percent explosive run plays given up.
With Buckner: 13.4 percent explosive pass plays given up. Without Buckner: 18.6 percent explosive pass plays given up.
Yes, the Colts are somewhat thankful to have DeForest Buckner around.
Three reasons for Raiders’ optimism
COLTS LEFT TACKLE ISSUES >> Because of injuries, the Colts may be forced to start third-stringer Chaz Green at left tackle. The former Raider came off the bench against Houston after Le’Raven Clark suffered a torn Achilles tendon. Clark had done well since replacing starter Anthony Castonzo (sprained knee) two weeks ago. The hope for Indy is Castonzo will return this week. If not, the Colts may be in trouble. Green’s brief Raiders career may be best remembered — and not in a good way — for
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his first start for Oakland in Week 15 in 2018. Subbing for Kelechi Osemele, Green was overmatched against Geno Atkins in Cincinnati’s win. Green’s emergency appearance this past week was also a troubling one as the Texans lined up J.J. Watt over him. Watt beat him for a sack and was a constant presence in the Colts’ backfield.
A CHANCE TO STRIKE EARLY >> Slow starts are just about a weekly issue for the Colts, who have given up the fourth-most points in the first half in the NFL — an average of 15.4. The problem doesn’t seem to be getting any better, either. The Colts have given up an average of nearly 28 points in their last three games,
including 20 in their win over the Texans a week after surrendering a teamrecord 35 points to the Titans. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus told reporters the staff “really looked at it hard” last week and deduced the issue comes down to simply not executing. Whatever the problem, it seems to magically disappear after halftime. Once the second half begins, Indianapolis becomes the third- stingiest team to score on, giving up just 7.3 points. The Colts have also pitched second-half shutouts three times this season, including against Houston on Sunday. In short, you’d better get the Colts early. STRUGGLING CORNER TO TARGET? >> As the Raiders showed while targeting Darren Waller over and over again against the Jets, they aren’t afraid to exploit a weakness. And the Colts seem to have one right now in cornerback Rock YaSin, whose struggles have opened the door slightly for onetime Raider T. J. Carrie, the ex-De La Salle High star. Ya-Sin was torched by the Titans’ A. J. Brown two weeks ago for a 69-yard touchdown catch and later committed two costly thirddown penalties. The previous week, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers continually went after Ya-Sin, who permitted a touchdown and set up another score by committing an egregious pass interference penalty. Ya-Sin saw less snaps than Carrie on Sunday and the 30-yearold former Raider might be in line for a lot of work again this week.
Three reasons for Raiders’ pessimism
HOUSTON, HE’SSTILLAPROBLEM >> Justin Houston may be a little older than he was when he used to terrorize the Raiders as a record-setting Chiefs sack artist, but he’s still downright scary. The 10-year veteran leads Indianapolis with 7.5 sacks and he’s coming off his first three-sack game since 2016. He had four solo tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble against the Texans. Houston, who holds Kansas City’s franchise record with 22 sacks in 2014, also tied an NFL record on Sunday. His sack-safety of Texans QB Deshaun Watson was his second safety of the season and the fourth of his career — tying him with ex-Raider Ted Hendricks, Doug English and San Jose’s Jared Allen for the most safeties ever.
HILTON A FIVE- STAR RE
CEIVER AGAIN? >> T.Y. Hilton is back doing T.Y. Hilton things. The Colts’ veteran had his best receiving game in two years Sunday, grabbing nine passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. It was Hilton’s first 100-yard game since 2018. His performance included a first quarter with five catches for 74 yards and a TD. Two weeks ago, the four-time Pro Bowler had a season-high 20.2 yards per catch while catching four passes for 81 yards and a score. Hilton, coupled with rookie Michael Pittman Jr. (31 catches, 376 yards, 1 TD), has provided Philip Rivers with some reliable targets. ANEMERGINGROOKIE>> Firstyear running back Jonathan Taylor is progressing well as the Colts’ lead runner. He ran for 91 yards on 13 carries (7.1 yards per carry) against Houston and also caught three passes for 44 yards and his first career TD catch. The former Wisconsin star has 609 yards rushing on the year, including 181 in his past two games. After rushing for 90 yards against the Packers in Week 11, Taylor sat out the Colts’ loss to Tennessee two weeks ago while on the COVID-19 reserve list. He looked better than ever this past Sunday.
Worley returns
The Raiders are bringing back cornerback Daryl Worley to help their depleted secondary, a team source confirmed.
Worley, who started 24 games for the Raiders from 2018 and 2019, was signed off the Bills’ practice squad to provide experience for a Raiders team that will likely be without starting cornerback Damon Arnette (concussion) for at least this week against the Colts.
As long as Worley passes his COVID-19 tests, he’s expected to be available when the Raiders host the Colts.