"Yes, put him on a long flight overseas": NFL fans react as Colts HC Shane Steichen plans to start CB Sauce Gardner amid concussion protocol

Shane Steichen isn't planning to waste time with cornerback Sauce Gardner. The Indianapolis Colts made a big move to elevate their game amid a 7-2 season; they traded for Gardner, one of the best players on the New York Jets.

Gardner's health raised questions, considering that he is currently in concussion protocol. The coach made it clear on Wednesday that Gardner would practice, as he is expected to play against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Several fans questioned why the Colts planned to make Gardner practice and travel all the way to Germany while he is in concussion protocol.

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"Yes. Put him on a long flight over seas. That will help the concussion," one fan said. "Really? Allowing Sauce to play when he's already concussed? It's like he's on the Jets," another fan said. "Flying to f***ing Germany while in concussion protocol and not even knowing the defense and being expected to play just seems really crazy," another fan said.

Others mocked the Jets over this situation, joking that Gardner was hurt simply by being a member of that team.

"Anyone who plays for the Jets for more than a year needs a concussion check," one fan said. "being on the jets will do that to ya," another fan said. "Bro’s head hurt from being a Jets player," another fan wrote.

Sauce Gardner is one of the best players in his position. Since being selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the cornerback has dominated opponents, despite being on one of the worst teams in the league.

He earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year accolades in 2022 and first-team All-Pro honors in 2022 and 2023, becoming the first CB since 1970 to be a first-team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons.

In 55 games with the Jets, Gardner has recorded three interceptions, 46 passes defensed, one sack and 201 tackles.

Shane Steichen raves about Sauce Gardner's talents

Upon Sauce Gardner's arrival in Indianapolis, Shane Steichen praised the cornerback, noting how he can help the defense.

"To add a player like that, (with) this other stuff he can do and matchups that we can create, it'll be exciting to watch here this week and going forward," Steichen said.

The Colts will try to bounce back against the Falcons in Week 10, following a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Edited by Orlando Silva