A broken fibula couldn't stop Daniel Jones' 2025 renaissance, but a torn Achilles certainly will.
Jones and the Indianapolis Colts' worst fears were confirmed on Monday as tests revealed the quarterback suffered a torn Achilles in Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, head coach Shane Steichen announced Monday.
Jones will undergo surgery this week, Steichen added.
Jones, who'd been playing through a broken fibula over the past few weeks, suffered a non-contact Achilles tear late in the first quarter against the Jags.
Rookie Riley Leonard replaced Jones on Sunday and could be in line to start in Week 15 against the host Seattle Seahawks. However, Steichen told reporters on Monday that Leonard is dealing with a right knee issue from the loss to the Jaguars. Steichen said that "hopefully" Leonard will be available to play Week 15.
Anthony Richardson is on injured reserve with a broken orbital, and Steichen said that the 2023 first-rounder would not be activated off IR this week.
There is no good time for a season-ending injury, but Jones' came amid a three-game losing streak for the sinking Colts (8-5), whose 2025 season has very much mirrored the QB's trajectory.
Jones and Indy's strong starts were feel-good stories unto themselves when they started the year 7-1, but recent struggles have spoiled those glowing early returns with Indianapolis falling out of first place in the AFC South and facing just a 42% playoff probability, per Next Gen Stats.
Jones, 28, was released by the New York Giants midway through last year after six topsy-turvy seasons in the Big Apple. He then spent some time with the Minnesota Vikings last year (though he didn't ever play) before signing with the Colts this past offseason to compete with Richardson. Jones won the starting job and didn't look back.
Jones signed a one-year deal with the Colts and even with his recent struggles appeared in line for a lucrative extension with Indy or a shiny, new deal in free agency. Now, he could potentially be shelved until after the 2026 season has begun.
In 13 starts this year, Jones completed 261 of 384 passes for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
After picking himself up following his release from New York, the 2019 first-round pick will be forced to do so once more as his next comeback bid will begin shortly, while the Colts aim to keep their fleeting postseason hopes alive without their starting QB.
