The former Oregon Ducks star is making a big impression in his return to the Indianapolis Colts

DeForest Buckner returns to the lineup after a five-game absence and performed as if he had never been injured.

Buckner had a strong individual performance to help bolster the Indianapolis Colts' defense, helping to improve the unit's overall effectiveness. The Colts suffered a 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, but they knew how much a healthy Buckner on the field meant to the team.

“It’s huge to get a guy like that back,” Colts coach Shane Steichen told reporters. “He is one of the best players in the league. Obviously he is a dominant threat to our defensive line. I thought he did a great job there.”

Buckner had missed the last five games while recovering from a high ankle sprain suffered during the team's 16-10 loss in Week 2 to the Green Bay Packers. Buckner posted very good numbers – three total tackles, one tackle for a loss, three quarterback pressures, two quarterback hits and one sack during the 43 snaps he was on the field against the Texans.

Buckner was happy with his performance, but the loss overshadowed everything else.

“Aside from the result of the game, obviously it was great to be back out there with my guys,” Buckner told reporters. “It was fun to get back into the mix and of course the sack was a great gift for my first game back.”

Buckner ranks second on the team with 2.5 sacks despite missing those five games. Buckner was remarkably consistent, averaging eight sacks per season in his first four seasons with the Colts. Buckner's ability to anchor the Colts' defensive line as a run stopper and pass rusher is why the Colts signed him to a two-year contract extension worth up to $46 million in April.