Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner said Wednesday that his Week 4 performance against the Washington Commanders will not happen again, calling his effort “unacceptable” after allowing the highest passer rating of any cornerback in the league that week.
Gardner was targeted five times in the Colts’ 30-13 win over Washington and gave up four catches for 117 yards, producing a 156.3 passer rating when thrown at. That mark tied New England Patriots cornerback Charles Woods for the worst figure among NFL corners in Week 4, according to Yahoo Sports.
The Main Development
Gardner’s struggles showed up in two long gains. Washington wide receiver Treylon Burks got behind him for a 47-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis in the third quarter, according to CBS Sports. On Washington’s next possession, Dyami Brown added a 48-yard gain against Gardner.
Speaking with reporters Wednesday, Gardner did not soften his assessment of the tape. “My showing was an embarrassing watch,” he said, according to Bleacher Report.
What It Means
The blunt self-critique comes from a player who built his reputation on shutting down opposing receivers. Entering Week 4, Gardner had broken up three passes through Indianapolis’ first three games and carried a 66.2 PFF coverage grade, numbers that made the two long completions against Washington stand out as a departure from his usual standard.
Gardner’s willingness to call out his own effort publicly puts pressure on him to deliver a cleaner performance when the Colts’ secondary faces its next test. How he responds on the field will matter more than the admission itself.
Context
The Commanders game marked Indianapolis’ second win of the season, improving the team to 2-2. The Colts have leaned on their defense to stay competitive, and Gardner’s coverage had been a steady point before the Week 4 lapses. The two long plays against Washington were the clearest blemishes on an otherwise productive start to his season in Indianapolis.
What’s Next
Gardner and the Colts get a chance to answer for the Week 4 showing when Indianapolis travels to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5. For more on the Colts’ season, see the team’s Week 3 win over Houston and the defensive additions that have bolstered the roster.
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