In the first two-and-a-half quarters of the Colts' Week 17 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, cornerback Sauce Gardner was all over the field, recording three big tackles and one major pass breakup that helped force the Jaguars to go three-and-out. It was Gardner's first time on the field since Week 13, when he left the Colts' game against the Houston Texans with a calf injury, and he was making the sort of impact the Colts needed from their All-Pro corner.
But with just under six minutes remaining in the third quarter, Gardner left the field of play and was seen speaking with trainers on the sideline. He was not ruled out -- instead, his return was questionable due to a calf injury -- but he did not come back in the game.
Head coach Shane Steichen said after the game that Gardner felt tightness in the same calf he had been rehabbing for the last four weeks, but holding him out was more of a precaution than anything.
"(His) calf was just tight, so we just played it safe," Steichen said.
"It was tightening up on me a little bit," Gardner said. "I told him not to rule me out because I was just going to try to just do my thing. But it was tightening up on me, especially when I would get blocked and try to put my weight back against it. But I don't think I've restrained it or nothing crazy."
Gardner was a full participant in the Colts' Friday practice prior to Sunday's game, and said there was no hesitation in trying his best to get back on the field, regardless of where the Colts stood in terms of making the playoffs.
"That ain't how I operate," he said. "I got so much gratitude for this game, it's a blessing to just be able to go out there and play. It's not just about the playoffs. I don't play this game solely for the playoffs, I play this game because this is my dream, I got a passion for this game. So any time I get the chance to play, that's what I want to do."
