The Indianapolis Colts are at a crossroads. After a red-hot 7-1 start to the season, they’ve slid into second place in the AFC South and are now staring down the possibility of missing the playoffs entirely.
It’s a sharp turn for a team that looked like a legitimate contender just weeks ago. The key figures remain the same-Daniel Jones is still under center, and Shane Steichen is still dialing up the plays-but the momentum has clearly shifted.
Injuries have been a storyline all year for Indy, but the recent one to Jones is particularly impactful. The quarterback is playing through a broken fibula, and while he's managed to avoid turnovers, his mobility has taken a serious hit.
That’s not a small detail-Jones’ ability to extend plays with his legs was a major part of the Colts’ early-season success. Without that element, the offense has lost a bit of its edge.
You can see the ripple effect in Steichen’s play-calling. Early in the season, the Colts were aggressive on fourth-and-short situations, often trusting Jones to make something happen with his feet.
Since the injury, that aggressiveness has all but disappeared. It’s clear Steichen knows his quarterback can’t plant and push off the way he used to.
That changes the calculus in those high-leverage situations.
Meanwhile, sitting on the sideline is rookie backup Riley Leonard-a quarterback who built his college résumé at Notre Dame by doing exactly what Jones can’t right now: making plays with his legs. Leonard has the athleticism to keep drives alive and the confidence to step into the moment. So, naturally, there’s been some quiet buzz about whether he could be used situationally, especially on short-yardage downs where mobility is at a premium.
But that idea hasn’t materialized, and it doesn’t look like it will. Despite the injury, Jones is still the guy.
And Leonard, like any competitive young player, was hoping for a shot. According to ESPN, he was closely monitoring the results of Jones’ MRI, even calling team staffers to get updates.
Every backup wants to be ready, and Leonard clearly felt like he was.
Instead, the message came directly from Jones himself. No drama, no long explanation-just a simple three-word text: “I’ll be good.”
That was that. Leonard’s opportunity would have to wait.
There’s a silver lining here for Colts fans. Leonard’s eagerness to get on the field isn’t just about ambition-it’s about preparation.
He believes he’s ready to contribute, and that’s a good sign for the team’s depth at the most important position in football. But for now, the Colts are sticking with Jones, even if he’s not at 100%.
The big question going forward is whether Jones can gut it out and rediscover enough of his early-season form to keep the Colts in the playoff mix. With the margin for error shrinking and the offense needing a spark, that’s a tall order. But one thing is clear: unless something changes drastically, Riley Leonard’s time isn’t now.