Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and running back Jonathan Taylor were full participants in practice on Thursday as they move toward a return to action against the host Houston Texans on Sunday.
Both players have been sidelined with ankle injuries. Buckner was hurt in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers, while Taylor has missed the last three games with his aliment.
Buckner, 30, had missed just two games in nine NFL seasons before the current five-game absence. The team opened his 21-day practice window on Wednesday and Buckner is salivating to get back on the field.
“Just being out that long, especially throughout the season, I was itching to be out there to help my team and these guys,” Buckner said Thursday. “It was tough watching from the sidelines knowing I can’t do anything to help. So I was just doing everything I could in the rehab process and really attacking each day.”
Buckner is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and also was a first-team All-Pro in 2020, his first season with the Colts. He was second team All-Pro in 2019 during the last of four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
Buckner has 62.5 career sacks, 10 fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles and 551 career tackles in 131 games (126 starts). He has 1.5 sacks in two games (one start) this season.
Taylor hasn’t played this month and still leads the Colts in carries (72), rushing yards (349) and rushing touchdowns (four). He had two 100-yard outings in four games before getting injured.
Taylor felt soreness after practice but termed it “nothing major.”
Taylor, 25, has rushed for 4,931 yards and 44 touchdowns in 57 games (52 starts) over five NFL seasons. He led the NFL with 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2021 when he was both a Pro Bowl pick and first-team All-Pro selection.
Receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and center Ryan Kelly (calf) were full practice participants Thursday after sitting out one day earlier. Defensive end Genard Avery (foot) and linebacker Jaylon Carlies (fibula/shoulder) sat out both days.