Jersey Number Changes: Sauce Gardner and Josh Downs Swap Numbers
The NFL season is about to get a little more interesting for the Colts as they make a strategic move with jersey numbers. Cornerback Sauce Gardner, a standout player since his draft in 2022, will now wear the iconic No. 1 jersey, previously worn by wide receiver Josh Downs. This swap will take effect starting with the upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin.
Downs, who has been a consistent wearer of No. 1 since joining the NFL in 2023, might have to adjust his personal preferences. Interestingly, his brother, Caleb, a talented safety at Ohio State, wears the No. 2 jersey, creating a unique family dynamic in the world of sports.
The Colts' acquisition of Gardner from the New York Jets on Tuesday was a significant move, as they traded two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Gardner, who has worn No. 1 since his draft, brings a new dynamic to the team's defensive strategy, and the swap with Downs is a strategic adjustment to accommodate this change.