In return, DT DeForest Buckner’s impact on the Colts defense goes beyond just the stats

The Indianapolis Colts defensive front performed its best in some time on Sunday against the Houston Texans, and not coincidentally, that was also DeForest Buckner’s first game back from injury.

Buckner had been sidelined the previous five games on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain he suffered in the Colts’ Week 2 loss to Green Bay.

Upon his return on Sunday, Buckner’s impact was felt not only on the stat sheet, but also by his teammates with the chances he helped create for them.

Buckner would play 43 snaps, just five fewer than Dayo Odeyingbo’s 48, most along the defensive front. The Colts made sure Buckner was on the field during those obvious passing downs, but he was also a key presence against the run.

Individually, Buckner faced three pressures, including when he was fired from Pro Football Focus. According to ESPN’s pass rush stats, Buckner had a 35 percent win rate on Sunday, meaning he beat his blocker within 2.5 seconds on more than a third of his pass rush snaps.

If Seth Walder notedthis was the highest winning percentage of any defenseman in Week 8 during the early period of play.

In the run game, Buckner recorded two tackles, and among 58 defensive tackles, he ranked 15th in run-stop percentage – best on the team.

Collectively, and with the help of some stunts and blitzes from defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, the Colts pressured C.J. Stroud on 45 percent of his dropbacks.

For some context, this was the Colts’ highest pressure on an opposing quarterback of the season, and Stroud was among the most pressured quarterbacks in Week 8.

In the run game, meanwhile, Joe Mixon was held to a modest 4.1 yards per rush — half a yard below the defense’s season average.

This performance by the Colts defensive front is a product of the DeForest Buckner effect. In addition to the obvious impact he makes on his own, his presence creates one-on-one matchups and advantageous matchups that other Indianapolis defensemen can take advantage of.

We all know this defense missed Buckner dearly while he was on injured reserve, and Sunday’s game was proof of that.