INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts’ defense has been delivered a significant blow.

Tackle DeForest Buckner, a franchise cornerstone and interior anchor for Lou Anarumo’s defense, has been placed on the injured reserve list with a neck injury suffered in last Sunday’s loss at Pittsburgh.

Coach Shane Steichen made the announcement after putting the Colts through a Friday walkthrough in Berlin, Germany. They meet the Atlanta Falcons in Olympic Stadium.

Buckner must miss at least the next four games.

“No timetable on the return,’’ Steichen told reporters. “Hopefully we’ll get him back.’’

Since being acquired in a 2020 trade with the San Francisco 49ers, Buckner has been the catalyst for the Colts defense.

He’s started 82 of 87 games and generated 43 sacks, a club record for a tackle,

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