Shane Steichen Announces Colts' Plan for Sauce Gardner

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced the team's plan for newly acquired cornerback Sauce Gardner.

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) catches the ball during warmups before the Jets take on the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford. | Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

24 hours ago, the Indianapolis Colts made a bombshell trade for New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner hours before the trade deadline.

Gardner, a two-time First-Team All-Pro corner, comes to Indianapolis as the bona fide starter alongside Charvarius Ward. Reports suggested the Colts wanted to make a move for a defender, but nobody knew the Colts would make a move of this magnitude at the last moment.

Colts' Plan for Sauce Gardner

Colts head coach Shane Steichen spoke to the media for the first time since the trade and announced that the plan is for Gardner to make his Colts debut against the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday in Berlin.

Colts Shane Steichen's presser:

Sauce Gardner will practice today. If he clear concussion protocol, he will play in Berlin.

"That's the plan," Steichen said.

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) November 5, 2025

Gardner is currently in concussion protocol, but should he clear it, the new Colts corner will play this weekend. Gardner is participating in Wednesday's practice, which is a good indication that he'll clear protocol.

Sauce has only missed three games in his four-year career. He has started in all seven games for the Jets this season, recording 20 total tackles and six passes defended.

Some fans may wonder why Gardner doesn't get many interceptions (he has only three in his career). That's because quarterbacks don't throw the ball toward him.

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Gardner has not allowed more than two receptions to any single receiver this season. He also has forced a tight window (less than one yard of separation) on 52.0% of his targets, the highest rate of any player targeted at least 20 times in coverage.

Sauce Gardner has faced opponent #1 receivers on 45.5% of his coverage matchups, the NFL's highest rate (min. 125 matchups).

When targeted, he has forced tight windows (<1 yard of separation) at a 52.0% rate, also leading the league (min. 20 targets).@Colts | #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/88AAPXz8aI

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 4, 2025

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Sauce Gardner's First Matchup

Gardner's first test for the Colts will come against Drake London. The Falcons' star receiver had nine catches for 118 yards and three touchdowns against the New England Patriots last weekend in what was the best performance of his young career.

London has five touchdowns in his last four appearances, establishing himself as the ultimate red zone threat. At 6-foot-4, London's height makes him a difficult matchup for most cornerbacks.

Nov 2, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) makes a touchdown catch against New England Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III (7)during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Thankfully for the Colts, Gardner is one of the lengthiest corners in football with a 6-foot-7 wingspan. In one career game against the Jets, London was held to only one catch for five yards.

If Gardner can shut down the Falcons' passing game, the Colts could be in line for another dominant win. Aside from London, the Falcons' offense has weapons in Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts that the Colts' defense will have to account for.

Colts vs. Falcons kicks off at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday morning.