Colts turn to Jaguars after Nelson and Buckner trades unsettle locker room

The Indianapolis Colts were preparing to visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday, October 28, after trading team captains Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner on Tuesday. The Associated Press reported that the departures unsettled the locker room as the 2-5 Colts tried to halt a three-game losing streak.

Right guard Matt Goncalves and defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore arrived to find the stalls beside theirs cleared and Nelson’s and Buckner’s nameplates gone, according to the Associated Press. Coach Shane Steichen faced questions about his job and whether the trades meant Indianapolis had given up on the season.

How the trades change the Colts’ lineup

The Associated Press reported that rookie Jalen Farmer was expected to replace Nelson and Adebawore would take Buckner’s place. Steichen said losing the two captains was tough, but the team had to accept difficult business decisions and keep improving. He declined to say whether either player had asked for a trade, keeping those conversations private.

The moves followed a turbulent stretch for Indianapolis. The Colts blew a 13-point halftime lead against Tennessee and lost on the road to Minnesota before the trades, the Associated Press reported. Co-owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon fired general manager Chris Ballard the previous week and installed assistant general manager Ed Dodds as his replacement.

Jonathan Taylor’s status before Jacksonville

Steichen said running back Jonathan Taylor had not requested a trade, according to the Associated Press. ESPN reported that Indianapolis was expected to consider more deals, with Taylor among the players attracting interest. Taylor signed a contract extension through the 2028 season during training camp, ESPN reported. It was not immediately clear whether the Colts would trade him.

Taylor’s wife, Ayanna, raised the family’s uncertainty on social media, asking, ‘Will we make it to game day?’ according to the Associated Press. Her comments were the focus of earlier NewsJaws coverage of Ayanna Taylor’s response to the trades. The Associated Press reported that Taylor was scheduled to speak with reporters Thursday, October 29.

The Associated Press described Jacksonville as the defending AFC South champion and current division leader. Indianapolis had lost 11 consecutive road games against the Jaguars, the AP reported, giving the reshaped lineup a difficult trip as its next assignment.