(COLTS RELEASE)
WESTFIELD, Ind. – DeForest Buckner played a handful of snaps during a full-team period of practice last week, and the veteran defensive tackle said he’s hopeful to do the same at some point during the Colts’ four remaining training camp practices this week.
More importantly, Buckner said his neck has “responded well” to his early-camp workload, including those couple 11-on-11 reps.
“I’m just feeling everything out, everything for the first time with live reps,” Buckner said.
Buckner added he felt a “little” muscle soreness, but it was to be expected. Those 11-on-11 reps last week were Buckner’s first full-team action since Dec. 22, 2025, and represented a small yet important step in the three-time Pro Bowler’s process of working toward Week 1 of the 2026 season.
With the Colts putting pads on for the first time this training camp Monday, Buckner only participated in individual work on Monday. But this is a process that, again, will take time with Sept. 13, 2026 in mind.
“Just gradually increasing my reps throughout training camp, just bridging that gap,” Buckner said. “It’s our first time in pads today, I only did (individual) today and hoping to get some reps (Tuesday).”
There’s no questioning the impact Buckner has on the Colts’ defense when he’s on the field. Over his 10 years in the NFL, Buckner has 71.5 sacks, 188 QB hits and 97 tackles for a loss while earning first-team AP All-Pro honors in 2020 and second-team AP All-Pro honors in 2019 in addition to those three Pro Bowls (2018, 2021, 2023).
“He means everything to this defense,” head coach Shane Steichen said. “He’s been a pillar here for so long, 10-year-plus vet. He leads the right way, works the right way. Just to see him out there and get some reps is huge, and obviously that’s an ongoing conversation that he’ll have with myself and the trainers, and just make sure his body’s right and whatever he needs to get from a team standpoint, he’ll get throughout training camp.”
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COLTS SIGN CB MEKHI RODGERS, WAIVED-INJURED CB CAMERON MITCHELL
WESTFIELD, Ind. – The Indianapolis Colts today signed undrafted free agent cornerback Mekhi Rodgers and waived-injured cornerback Cameron Mitchell. If Mitchell clears waivers, he will revert to the Colts Injured Reserve list.
Rodgers, 6-1, 197 pounds, participated in the Colts’ 2026 Rookie Mini-Camp on a tryout basis. In 2025, he played in 13 games (one start) at James Madison and registered eight tackles (four solo) and one pass defensed. Prior to James Madison, Rodgers started all 11 games at Saint Francis in 2024 and totaled 25 tackles (19 solo) and seven passes defensed. He began his collegiate career at Hobart College (2022-23), where he appeared in 19 games (10 starts) and compiled 36 tackles (21 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, 10 passes defensed and three interceptions. Rodgers earned Honorable Mention All-Liberty League recognition in 2023.
Mitchell, 5-11, 191 pounds, was originally signed to the team’s practice squad on October 4, 2025. He has played in 40 career games (five starts) in his time with the Colts (2025-26) and Cleveland Browns (2023-25). Mitchell has compiled 59 tackles (45 solo), 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, eight passes defensed, one forced fumble and two special teams stops. In 2025, he appeared in eight games (one start) for Indianapolis and registered 18 tackles (14 solo), 2.0 tackles for loss and four passes defensed.
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COLTS CAMP PRESS CONFERENCE MONDAY: https://www.colts.com/video/deforest-buckner-shares-rehab-progress-grupe-shrader-discuss-competition-josh-downs-2026-training-camp-media-availability
COLTS COACH SHANE STEICHEN PRESSER: https://www.colts.com/video/shane-steichen-on-first-day-of-padded-practice-2026-training-camp-media-availability
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