Colts’ Sauce Gardner on Nelson, Buckner trades: ‘It hurt’

Sauce Gardner admitted the unfortunate part of business in the NFL as the Indianapolis Colts trade two of their team captains on Tuesday.

Speaking with reporters Wednesday, the Colts cornerback addressed the departures of Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner — and the emotional impact of losing both players within hours of each other.

"It was one of those things like, it hurt, it hurt for sure because like I said those are two captains that embodied everything, two great players and great people. … It was a little crazy for sure," Gardner said, via Roundtable.io's Jake Arthur .

Indianapolis traded Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round selection. Buckner went to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick. The moves added future draft capital while exposing potential issues on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

The losses for Gardner aren't simply tied to what Nelson and Buckner contributed on Sundays.

His description of the departing captains noted the team's understanding of relinquishing their first-rate capabilities on the field, in addition to creating a leadership void.

Nelson and Buckner had each been voted a team captain in six consecutive seasons. Their departures come with Indianapolis sitting at 2-5 and preparing to face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Gardner, however, made clear that the trades haven't changed what the current players expect of themselves.

"We want to dominate each and every game we go out there and play. That's our message."

That standard will be put to the test quickly. The Colts must prepare for a division opponent Sunday against the 4-2 Jacksonville Jaguars, whose defense ranks third in the NFL in points allowed at 17.3 per game.