Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones exited Sunday’s crucial AFC South matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars after a non contact injury to his lower right leg, an issue quickly ruled an Achilles injury and feared to be season-ending.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation (via NBC Sports), Jones suffered a torn Achilles tendon and will miss the rest of the season. Coach Shane Steichen said after the game that while he doesn’t have the medical specifics yet, the status of Jones’s injured Achilles “is not looking good.”
Jones went down late in the first quarter while delivering a pass, appearing to slip on the wet field before collapsing and immediately grabbing at his right Achilles area. The 28-year-old, who had already been playing through a fractured left fibula for several weeks, pounded his helmet into the turf as trainers examined him. He eventually stood and limped to the medical tent, later walking slowly to the locker room under his own power.
The Colts confirmed he would not return moments later while trailing Jacksonville 14–7 at the time; the Jags went on to win the game, 36-19. The two teams entered Sunday tied for the AFC South lead, but now Jacksonville (9-4) holds sole possession of first place in the division over Indianapolis (8-5).
Jones had been battling what was believed to be a hairline fibula fracture, limiting his mobility in recent losses to Kansas City and Houston. On Sunday, he initially looked more comfortable before the Achilles injury abruptly ended his afternoon. The play marked another setback in a career already marked by major leg injuries: just two years ago, his right knee buckled while backpedaling for the Giants, ending his 2023 season with a torn ACL.
The timing could hardly be worse for Indianapolis. After opening the year 7–1, the Colts had dropped three of their previous four and were fighting to retain a playoff spot. In addition, with backup Anthony Richardson Sr. still on injured reserve because of an orbital fracture, the Colts were forced to turn to sixth-round rookie Riley Leonard from Notre Dame.
Jones, who rejuvenated his career after being released by the Giants and spending part of last season on Minnesota’s practice squad, had been central to the Colts’ offensive resurgence. Entering Week 14, he had 24 total touchdowns, seven interceptions and 3,041 passing yards. His 19 passing touchdowns on the year were his highest since throwing 24 as a Giants rookie in 2019, and his eight wins as a starter marked his second-best season total. He will become a free agent after the season, but Sunday’s Achilles injury now places both his future and the Colts’ postseason hopes in jeopardy.
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