The Colts are likely going to need some big plays from their defense if they want to compete in the AFC South this season, and they got one of the most bizarre ones in recent memory on Sunday against the Jaguars.
After DeForest Buckner came through with a hit on Trevor Lawrence to knock the ball loose, Jaguars rookie Tank Bigsby picked it up and seemingly wasn't aware it was live.
Zaire Franklin made the wise decision to hit Bigsby and knock the ball free, allowing Buckner to come back into the picture and run the ball in for a go-ahead touchdown.
DeForest Buckner with THE funniest forced/recovered fumble for six in the history of the NFL.
— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) September 10, 2023
Zaire Franklin provides a high IQ FF after Tank Bigsby confusingly picked up the ball, straight out of the Shaq Leonard school of hardknocks. pic.twitter.com/T20jTYXxUk
The play will go down as a costly rookie mistake by Bigsby, but based on the slow reaction time of players on both teams, not many knew the play was still live. All that mattered was that Franklin and Buckner did, and their heads-up play gave the Colts a lead — though a pair of Jaguars touchdowns late in the fourth quarter made it all for naught.
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For Buckner, his stat sheet is filled after only one game. That one play alone accounted for a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery, and a touchdown. It was the second touchdown of Buckner's career and first since 2019 when he was part of the 49ers' defense.
DeForest Buckner gets credit for a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery AND touchdown all on the same play.
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) September 10, 2023
He forced the initial fumble, which was recovered by Jags RB Tank Bigsby, who stopped playing. Zaire Franklin punched it out and Buck scooped and scored. #Colts
The Colts have a new head coach in Shane Steichen, but defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is a holdover from the Frank Reich era. Bradley's defense had its share of ups and downs in Sunday's season opener, but he undoubtedly is pleased with the quick thinking by Franklin and Buckner.
