Daniel Jones didn’t hide how he felt about the Colts’ recent teardown.
With Indianapolis dealing away DeForest Buckner, Josh Downs, Keenan Allen, and Quenton Nelson ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, the former Duke quarterback said Thursday that watching the roster get stripped down was tough. The Colts also had trade speculation swirling around Jones and Jonathan Taylor, but held onto both for now despite a 2-7 start.
Speaking to reporters, Jones said he was not happy with the moves, via FOX 59. He made it clear why the deadline activity landed so hard from a player’s perspective: it makes the job tougher for everyone in the locker room.
At the same time, he acknowledged those decisions are out of his hands. Jones still believes the group can compete, even if losing key pieces on the offensive line and at receiver makes that a much steeper climb.
The departures hit Indianapolis’ offense directly. Downs and Allen were the team’s top two receivers, with Downs posting 33 catches for 354 yards and one touchdown, and Allen finishing with 40 receptions for 351 yards and a score. Behind them, second-year tight end Tyler Warren has 38 catches for 275 yards and two touchdowns.
Jones’ own situation has changed dramatically since the offseason. He signed a two-year, $88 million contract extension after a strong performance in 2025, only to suffer an Achilles injury. The former Blue Devils standout was rebuilding his career before that setback, and as is usually the case with that injury, he has not been as sharp this season.
Through this year, Jones has completed 60.3% of his passes for 1,722 yards, six touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
The Vikings were mentioned as a possible landing spot for Jones, since he spent part of the 2024 season there, but Minnesota traded for its former quarterback Kirk Cousins instead.
And even beyond this season, Jones’ future in Indianapolis is not locked in. The Colts would have an out on his contract.
In Other News...
Colts Secondary Finally Gets A Lift Before A Crucial Dolphins Test
The Colts finally got a little relief in the secondary this week, with defensive backs Justin Walley and A.J. Haulcy both returning to full participation in practice. For a defense that has been managing a long injury list, getting two defensive backs back on the field at least gives Indianapolis a better chance to sort through its coverage options before a matchup that could demand it.
There is still plenty for the Colts to monitor, though, with several players limited or sidelined and edge defender Arden Key just beginning his 21-day practice window after a hamstring injury. Miami has its own availability issues heading into the game, including starter Aaron Brewer being ruled out and Chris Bell also on the injury report, so both teams are walking into this one with some uncertainty still hanging over the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Fans Will Want To See Why San Francisco Pivoted Away
A receiver shuffle out in San Francisco has a familiar name tied to it, and Colts fans will recognize why it matters. Kyle Shanahan said Mike Evans is close to returning from Achilles tendinitis, but the 49ers are taking a cautious approach with his recovery after he missed multiple games and landed on the week-to-week list. It is the kind of update that explains why a team can talk itself into patience even when help seems close.
Keenan Allens arrival adds another layer to the picture, especially after Shanahan had previously floated him as a trade target while the 49ers were initially linked to Josh Downs. For Indianapolis, it is a reminder of how quickly the market can shift when a contender decides it wants a proven veteran instead of waiting on a different fit. The Colts may not control what San Francisco does next, but they will certainly notice how the 49ers chose to pivot. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Suddenly Have A New Fantasy Name Fans Should Notice
With several big-name fantasy options sidelined this week, the ripple effects are opening up value in places that usually dont draw much attention. The matchup-based DFS conversation has turned toward players who can absorb extra volume, and that has put a few under-the-radar names into focus for managers looking beyond the obvious stars. Trevor Lawrence, Dalvin Cook, Kyren Williams, Chris Olave and others are part of the broader picture, but the appeal here is really about opportunity and how injuries elsewhere can reshape a slate.
For Colts fans, the name worth noticing is Alec Pierce, who fits neatly into that kind of environment. The analysis around this weeks player pool points to favorable defensive vulnerabilities and the chance for expanded involvement, which is exactly the sort of setup that can turn a secondary option into a useful fantasy play. It is not a glamorous storyline, but in a week defined by absences and shifting target shares, Pierce has become the kind of receiver DFS players tend to circle when they are hunting for a little edge. [Read more 🡒]