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Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner was designated to return to practice for the first time since he was placed on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain in September.

Buckner, 30, had missed only two games in his nine-year NFL career prior to his first IR stint.

He was carted off the field in the third quarter of the Colts’ 16-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 15.

Buckner missed more than the minimum four games. The Colts’ 16-10 win over the Dolphins was the team’s fifth game without Buckner, and it could be their last. Indianapolis has 21 days to activate Buckner and add him back to the 53-man roster.

Head coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday that Buckner and running back Jonathan Taylor would participate in practice. Decisions on their full availability will come later in the week.

Taylor hasn’t played in the past three games because of an ankle injury, but he still leads the Colts in carries (72), rushing yards (349) and rushing touchdowns (four). Quarterback Anthony Richardson is second in rushing yards (197).

Buckner has 1.5 sacks and seven tackles in two games (one start) this season. He has 62.5 career sacks with the San Francisco 49ers (2016-19) and Colts. He has started 126 of the 131 games he’s played in, making the Pro Bowl three times and earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2020.

Buckner signed a two-year, $46 million extension with the Colts in April, a deal that takes effect next season. He’s in the final year of a four-year, $84 million pact.

–Field Level Media