The Colts announced Thursday that Gardner has cleared the concussion protocol, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
Gardner appears all set to make his team debut Sunday versus Atlanta, though it remains to be seen how much of a role he'll have while still in the process of picking up a new defensive scheme. The Colts acquired Gardner in a trade with the Jets on Tuesday, in exchange for a pair of future first-round draft picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
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Colts' Sauce Gardner: Logs full practice Wednesday
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Gardner (concussion) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Prior to his trade to the Colts, Gardner was diagnosed with a concussion during the Jets' Week 7 loss to the Panthers, which caused him to be sidelined for Week 8. His ability to practice in full Wednesday is a sign that he is progressing through the league's five-step concussion protocol, but he'll need to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to make his Colts debut against the Falcons on Sunday.
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Colts' Sauce Gardner: Practicing Wednesday
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Head coach Shane Steichen told reporters that Gardner (concussion) will practice Wednesday, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.
Before being traded from the Jets to the Colts on Tuesday, Gardner sustained a concussion in New York's Week 8 win over the Bengals. Steichen added that Gardner will make his Colts debut in the Week 10 matchup against the Falcons in Berlin only if he clears the NFL's five-step concussion protocol by game time.
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Colts' Sauce Gardner: Headed to Indianapolis
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The Colts acquired Gardner (concussion) from the Jets on Tuesday in exchange for receiver Adonai Mitchell and 2026 and 2027 first-round draft picks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The 1-7 Jets were one of the teams expected to be active around the trade deadline in the midst of a non-contending season, but dealing away the two-time All-Pro cornerback -- who is under contract through 2030 -- wasn't believed to be on the table. The addition of Gardner gives a massive facelift to a secondary that been one of the few weak spots for a surprise 7-2 Colts squad that now looks to be a formidable contender in the AFC. Gardner had missed the Jets' Week 8 win over the Bengals due to a concussion before the team went on bye Week 9, but he could clear the five-step protocol in the coming days to make his Colts debut this Sunday versus the Falcons in Berlin.
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Jets' Sauce Gardner: Ruled out for Week 8
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Gardner (concussion) won't play Sunday against the Bengals, Eric Allen of the Jets' official site reports.
Gardner will sit out after sustaining a concussion in the Jets' Week 7 loss to the Panthers. Jarvis Brownlee or Qwan'tez Stiggers figure to draw the start at outside cornerback opposite Brandon Stephens against Cincinnati's fearsome receiving corps. Gardner will have extra time to clear the league's five-step concussion protocol with the Jets on bye in Week 9.
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Jets' Sauce Gardner: Diagnosed with concussion
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Head coach Aaron Glenn said after Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Panthers that Gardner has entered the league's concussion protocol, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.
Gardner took a hit to the head during the second half of Sunday's game. Now that he's in the league's five-step concussion protocol, Gardner would have to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to be available for the Jets' Week 8 road clash against the Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 26. Jarvis Brownlee would be the next man up at outside corner if Gardner misses time.
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Jets' Sauce Gardner: Possible concussion
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Gardner is being evaluated for a possible concussion Sunday versus the Panthers, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.
Gardner took a blow to the head in the second half of Sunday's matchup, and his status for the rest of the game is now uncertain. In his absence, Jarvis Brownlee is a top candidate to see an increase in workload at cornerback.
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Jets' Sauce Gardner: Exits Sunday's game
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Gardner is being evaluated for a head injury and is questionable to return.
Gardner appeared to suffer the injury while making a tackle in the fourth quarter and went to the locker room after being evaluated by trainers in the blue medical tent. With Tony Adams (hip) inactive, Qwan'tez Stiggers will likely see more work at outside corner for as long as Gardner is out of the game.
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Jets' Sauce Gardner: Back to full Thursday
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Gardner (fibula) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
Gardner's good to go after kicking off Week 1 prep with a limited practice session Wednesday. Barring a setback, the star cornerback will be available Week 1 against DK Metcalf and the Steelers.
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Jets' Sauce Gardner: Expected to be fine for Week 1
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Coach Aaron Glenn said Monday that Gardner (calf) is on track to play Week 1 against the Steelers on Sept. 7, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
Gardner has missed some time with a calf issue this month, but he returned to practice last week. The soon-to-be 25-year-old (Aug. 31) is hoping to return to his All-Pro form after landing a massive extension from the Jets this summer. Gardner won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and was named a first-team All-Pro each of his first two seasons before his play slipped some in 2024.
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Jets' Sauce Gardner: Becomes highest-paid corner
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The Jets and Gardner agreed to terms on a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
In back-to-back days, the Jets have locked in two of their first-round picks from the 2022 Draft after Garrett Wilson agreed to a four-year extension Monday. This deal for Gardner includes $85.653 million guaranteed, per Adam Schefter of ESPN, and also makes him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL in terms of average annual value. Through his first three pro seasons, Gardner has been a first-team All-Pro two times, though he does have only three interceptions among 41 pass defenses in 48 regular-season appearances. He'll continue to serve as a shut-down corner in New York's defense.
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Jets' Sauce Gardner: Present at minicamp
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Gardner is present for the Jets' mandatory minicamp, although he continues to seek a new contract, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
Gardner is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and he's coming off a 2024 campaign in which he recorded 49 total tackles (36 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding nine passes defensed with an interception over 15 regular-season games. The cornerback is considered to be among the best in the league, and with the Panthers' Jaycee Horn and the Texans' Derek Stingley resetting the cornerback market with new contracts this offseason, Gardner is looking to get similar compensation from the Jets.
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Jets' Sauce Gardner: Ruled out for season finale
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Gardner (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
D.J. Reed, Brandin Echols and Isaiah Oliver should see the bulk of the snaps at cornerback for the Jets in the Week 18 finale. Gardner has been dealing with the hamstring injury for weeks and was in and out of the game in Weeks 16 and 17. The No. 4 overall pick of the 2022 Draft, Gardner wraps up a disappointing third season with 49 tackles (36 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and nine pass breakups, including one interception.
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Jets' Sauce Gardner: Begins Week 18 prep with DNP
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Gardner (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice estimation, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Gardner first hurt his hamstring Week 16 versus the Rams. He was able to suit up this past Sunday versus Buffalo but departed early in the third quarter after aggravating the issue and was unable to return. Considering the nature of hamstring injuries, Gardner is at risk of missing Sunday's season finale against the Dolphins. Brandin Echols would likely step in and start if Gardner can't suit up.
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Jets' Sauce Gardner: Ruled out for remainder of Week 17
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Gardner won't play for the remainder of Sunday's matchup against Buffalo due to a hamstring injury.
Gardner came into the weekend nursing a hamstring issue but was given the go-ahead to start against the Bills. However, the star cornerback appears to have aggravated the issue and was ruled out shortly after the start of the third quarter. Gardner finishes the contest with three tackles (all solo) and a defensed pass.
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Jets' Sauce Gardner: Could play Sunday
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Gardner (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bills, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
After exiting the Jets' Week 16 loss to the Rams with a hamstring injury, Gardner logged three consecutive DNPs during the team's week of practice. However, it still appears he has a chance to play in Sunday's divisional matchup. Gardner, a two-time All-Pro, would be a significant loss to the Jets' defense if he cannot play in Week 17. If sidelined, Qwan'tez Stiggers is expected to start opposite D.J. Reed as part of the Jets' top outside cornerback duo.
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Jets' Sauce Gardner: Exits game due to hamstring injury
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Gardner (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Rams.
Gardner injured his hamstring early in the third quarter of Sunday's game. Brandin Echols will likely take over at outside corner opposite D.J. Reed for as long as Gardner is sidelined.
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Jets' Sauce Gardner: Ruled out for Week 14
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Gardner (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.
Gardner was tagged as doubtful for Week 14 after being held out of practice all week due to a hamstring injury he suffered against the Seahawks in Week 13. With Gardner inactive Sunday, Brandin Echols will fill in as the Jets' second starting outside cornerback opposite D.J. Reed.
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Jets' Sauce Gardner: Doubtful against Dolphins
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Gardner (hamstring) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
Gardner is expected to sit out Week 14 after injuring his hamstring in this past Sunday's loss to the Seahawks. While the two-time All-Pro cornerback has had a disappointing third NFL season by his lofty standards, Gardner's absence will still leave New York's secondary more vulnerable against speedy Dolphins wideouts Tyreek Hill (wrist) and Jaylen Waddle.
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Jets' Sauce Gardner: Still tending to injury
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Gardner (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
Gardner seems unlikely to play Sunday, as Cimini notes that head coach Jeff Ulbrich was not optimistic about the 24-year-old's chances. Considering the nature of hamstring injuries, it's likely the Jets will be cautious with their superstar corner, however, greater clarity on his status will likely come closer to their matchup with the Dolphins on Sunday.
