Colts QB Daniel Jones Out for Season with Torn Achilles: What It Means and Why This Injury Keeps Happening
The Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback situation just took a major hit. On Monday, the team confirmed that Daniel Jones is out for the rest of the season after tearing his Achilles tendon during Sunday’s matchup against Jacksonville. It’s a brutal blow for both Jones and a Colts team still trying to find its rhythm late in the season.
But beyond the immediate impact on the field, Jones’ injury highlights a troubling trend that’s been rippling through not just the NFL, but pro sports in general - and even into everyday life.
A Growing Injury Trend in Pro Sports
Achilles injuries are becoming more common across the league. According to the NFL’s current injury report, at least 20 players are sidelined with some form of Achilles damage.
That’s a significant number when you consider the physical demands and year-round conditioning these athletes go through. And it’s not just football - the Indiana Pacers, for example, have three players recovering from Achilles tears, including star guard Tyrese Haliburton.
What’s driving this uptick?
Dr. Stephen Greenfield of OrthoIndy in Carmel has spent years studying exactly that.
He’s worked closely with NFL cases and sees the injury often in his own clinic, especially with new patients. “I’d say probably a couple a month, at least.
They’re pretty common,” Greenfield said.
Why It Happens - Especially in the NFL
Greenfield points out a key difference between offensive and defensive players that can help explain why these injuries occur. Offensive players typically have time to plan their moves - they’re reading the defense, mapping out their routes.
Defensive players, on the other hand, are reacting in real time. That sudden, explosive movement is often when the Achilles gives out.
“Most of them were defensive players,” Greenfield explained. “As a defensive player, you have to respond quickly, and that’s how they pop them.”
The injury is almost always non-contact. It’s not a hit or a tackle that does it - it’s the moment an athlete plants their foot and tries to explode forward. That split second of push-off is all it takes.
Not Just a Pro Problem
Here’s the thing: Achilles injuries aren’t limited to elite athletes. Greenfield sees it all the time in everyday people - especially those who go from sedentary workweeks to high-intensity weekend activities.
“You get in trouble when you’re sitting around Monday through Friday and try to pretend like you’re 20 years old,” he said.
And with the rise of recreational sports like pickleball, the issue is becoming even more widespread. Greenfield noted that the sport’s popularity has coincided with an increase in Achilles injuries among his patients. That quick burst of movement - especially from people who might not be properly conditioned - is a recipe for trouble.
Takeaways for Athletes and Weekend Warriors Alike
Whether you’re an NFL quarterback or someone lacing up for a weekend game of pickup basketball, the message is clear: preparation matters. Stretching, strengthening, and gradually building up intensity can go a long way in preventing serious injuries like this.
For the Colts, losing Daniel Jones is a major setback. But his injury also serves as a reminder - the Achilles may be just one tendon, but when it snaps, it changes everything.