10:24pm: Adam Schefter of ESPN reported tonight that Jones will undergo surgery for his torn Achilles tendon, seemingly confirming the diagnosis of the Colts starter before the team’s official announcement. It’s a tough break for the resurgent quarterback, who had been in the midst of perhaps the strongest season of his career. It could be a tougher break for the Colts as, with Jones and Richardson on IR, the team will now attempt to move forward this season with Leonard as QB1.
Mike Chappell of FOX59/CBS4 Sports attempted to take a bit of wind out from Schefter’s sails following his breaking post on X. Chappell offered to “clear” things up, emphasizing that the situation is still just a “fear” of injury and potential surgery at the moment, and official confirmation won’t be available until Monday morning.
4:52pm: When speaking after the game, Colts head coach Shane Steichen said (via James Boyd of The Athletic) the injury “could” be season-ending but did not confirm if the worst-case scenario has taken place. On that note, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio also reports a tear is the situation in this case. Once testing ocurs, it will certainly come as no surprise if/when that diagnosis is confirmed.
2:37pm: Things have gone from bad to worse for Daniel Jones and the Colts. Indianapolis’ starting quarterback suffered a non-contact injury (video link) during the team’s game against the Jaguars. 
Jones’ reaction has led to concerns he suffered a major injury. Indeed, Outkick’s Armando Salguero reports a tear is feared to have occurred. In any event, Jones has been ruled out for the remainder of the game.
In recent weeks, the free agent addition has been dealing with a fibula injury which was reported to be a fracture. No confirmation emerged on that front, but Jones’ health and mobility was already a talking point leading up to Sunday. In the event of something like a calf strain, missed time would be in store. Of course, an Achilles tear would represent the worst-case scenario and end his season.
After seeing his Giants tenure end and departing the Vikings on the open market, Jones faced tempered expectations for 2025. The former No. 6 pick did not surprise many by winning a competition with Anthony Richardson given the fact much of his $14MM in compensation was guaranteed in full. Nevertheless, Jones’ strong start helped power to the Colts to a 7-1 record. Doing so set him up for a major raise on a second Colts contract or one worked out in free agency this spring.
Indianapolis parted with a pair of first-round picks at the trade deadline to acquire Sauce Gardner. That signaled a desire to commit to Jones and the other members of the Colts’ core. An offer on a long-term pact is expected, although no talks on that front have taken place yet. Needless to say, a major Jones injury would make a massive impact on the financial situation in this case.
With Richardson still on injured reserve, rookie Riley Leonard has taken over QB duties for the Colts. The sixth-rounder had only made one appearance prior to today, making two pass attempts. For now, at least, it will be Leonard counted on to lead the team’s offense. If that remains the case down the stretch, Indianapolis’ chances of winning a division it was once firmly in control of will be dealt a massive blow.
The Colts entered today sitting at 8-4 after losing three of their last four games. The team’s outlook will hinge in very large part on Jones’ diagnosis. Likewise, his future will be greatly impacted by any significant injury if one is to be confirmed by further testing.

Now the Colts are short two 1st round picks and stuck w/ Danny. Parity my backside. Bad decisions are just that.
While sauce is shelved for a while as well…
achilles tear means he’ll be out 10-12 months, mayb longer. had such a great comeback yr, its brutal
While brutal, the speedbrace procedure does allow for a relatively shorter rehab period. We’ve seen in recent years guys make a comeback within 8 months. I believe Cam Akers tore his Achilles in the preseason and was back for the playoffs. Not that isn’t a catastrophic injury but it’s much more manageable than it ones was.
If he really was playing through a leg fracture, maybe it’ll be good for his body to heal properly over the next however many months.
Jones has already proven he can be a solid QB who can lead an explosive offense.
Now they may go from likely division title to missing playoffs altogether.
And even if they sneak in, can’t imagine there will be much hope of advancing far in postseason play.
True and you also never know someone like Steelers, Texans or Packers could win out rest of season and be the Super Bowl winner.
Best wishes to Jones and a speedy recovery but could wipe out some to most of his 2026 season
Looking ahead to 2026 wonder if Indy resigns a better back up like a Garapollo or bring back Minshew who knows the offense. I assume they’ll resign Jones on a 1 or 2 year deal
Minshew is better used as a supersub, which he is in Kansas City.
BTW this was Indy’s first game vs. Jax with the rematch in Indy in Week 17.
Kyler Murray, you ARE an Indianapolis Colt
If Jones didn’t have bad luck. He wouldn’t have any at all. Hopefully it is not as serious as thought.
Indiana Jones being bitten by the serious injury snake sucks to see.
The good news is that Harrison Ford is a free agent 🙂
What do the Colts do next?
Cousins? Draft someone? Russ/Winston?
They just went all in by trading two firsts for Sauce – meaning they were going to re-up with DJ. Does not leave them wiggle room for drafting.
Idk – part of me wants to appreciate the aggression. The bigger part of me knows that getting a QB is job 1, and even a healthy DJ is a middling attempt.
I think the Colts hurt themselves. Its gonna be rough.
While neither was as good as Daniel Jones was when still healthy this year, seems like acquiring Kyler Murray or even either Justin Fields or Geno Smith may be better than what they could do with their existing 2026 draft capital.
That’s probably the right guess. Wont cost high capital.
Russ is completely washed. I’m not sure what they do but Russ would guarantee them a top 5 pick in 2027. They’d be better off starting Anthony Richardson and I’m not joking.
They should give Richardson a shot. They should still sign Jones long term though but give Richardson next season.
No, no, no, no, no. Not another try with Richardson. Anyone but Richardson
“Anyone but Richardson”
Unless that ‘anyone’ is Russell Wilson. Believe me, you’d rather have AR out there.
I’d take Wilson at age 60 over Richardson. At least Wilson knows where he is and what he’s supposed to be doing. I’d take a traffic cone over Richardson.
You clearly have not seen Russell Wilson lately.
There will be a sleeper QB or 2 available in the 2nd round next year. Like Klubnik or Beck…they also can go FA route …. Flacco could come back … they will find someone to fill the QB spot …
Indy fans welcome to the Daniel Jones train. Tease you then rip your heart out. Indy will sign him to a 4 yr/$200mm contract and he’ll miss at least 10 games next season then become Danny Turnover once again.
Unfortunately there’s a good chance he’s going to miss all of next season. I don’t think anyone is signing him to a huge contract.
Sucky news.
In the meantime you get a good look at Leonard. I don’t think he looked awful considering he was thrown to the wolves. He has good athleticism and stranger things have happened.
Shame but the body was going to overcompensate for the other leg having a fracture.
True
That sucks! Now the Colts are down to a Rookie 3rd string QB in the middle of a playoff run. Leonard is a very smart QB just lacks the skill set….wonder if they will sign Bailey Zappe off the Browns practice squad? He was once a starter for the Patriots over Mac Jones
Taylor is going to get a ton of attempts over the next four games
Indy. Just call cinch bungles and make a deal for JOE COOL FLACCO, HE WILL BE CHEAP BUT MIGHT MAKE PLAYOFFS WITH JOE COOL.
Trade deadline passed a while ago, so neither team will make the playoffs with Flacco after today.
Cinci could cut Flacco and give him a chance to go make a playoff run with Indy.
Another 1-2 year deal incoming for Danny Dimes
Midnight struck “Poof” back into a pumpkin.
Tough times Danny Dimes. I’ve always been rough on this guy but he was having an amazing year which would’ve got him paid HUGE. Recover and do it again next year Mr. Dimes