As the Colts return to the field for Organized Team Activities, so, too, does quarterback Daniel Jones, just five months removed from his season-ending Achilles tendon tear. Though Jones was held out of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills as practices advanced, the Indianapolis Star’s Joel A. Erickson noted that he was “doing everything in individual drills today” and “running full sprints with trainers after practice.”
After Jones’ promising 8-2 start to his tenure as the starter in Indianapolis came to an end following three straight losses and the season-ending injury, all eyes appeared to be on the future. The Colts expressed immediate expectations that Jones would be able to recover in time for training camp, and both sides began the process of working on a new contract that would keep him in Indy moving forward. The Colts opted to play it safe, securing Jones’ services via the application of the transition tag, but just eight days later Jones agreed to a two-year, $88MM extension.
A big part of the process that led to Jones’ multi-year deal was a constant evaluation of his progress returning from injury as he reliably hit key rehabilitation milestones before signing the deal. The most recent projections coming out of the building in Indianapolis paint the team as hopeful Jones will be ready to start in time for Week 1. Ask Jones about his potential status to start the season, though, and hope is not a word that will be mentioned.
“Absolutely,” Jones responded when asked if he expects to start Week 1 (via James Boyd of The Athletic). “There’s definitely still work to be done and progress to be made. So, I think it’s just continuing to get stronger, continuing to, you know, run faster, cut harder, and progress, kind of, according to the program, but it’s been good. I think we’ve hit all our marks so far, and we’ll continue to do that.”
There are still plenty of benchmarks and milestones to hit, but those are simply boxes to be checked in they eyes of Jones, who hasn’t even considered not being ready to open the 2026 campaign. As he continues to progress physically, the Colts will hope to see Jones’ explosiveness and confidence return in time to face the Ravens in Baltimore Week 1.