The AFC South is carrying plenty of storylines into Week 1, from a quarterback trying to put a brutal injury behind him to a fresh face looking for a fast start in Jacksonville.
In Indianapolis, Daniel Jones went back to the moment his season changed last December against the Jaguars. The Colts quarterback said he knew immediately that something was wrong after tearing his right Achilles.
“I felt like someone kicked me really hard in the back of the leg, and I looked around and there was nobody there,” Jones said, via Stephen Holder of ESPN. “And then you get up and your ankle’s just kind of loose.
At that point, I knew. At first, you’re just in disbelief.
You’re like, ‘No way this is happening right now. Not now.’
There’s just disappointment. I think the season to that point was the most fun I had playing football in the NFL.
We had played well… I think you realize pretty quickly you’re not going to be a part of that anymore. And that was the toughest part.”
The Colts may be getting a key receiver back for the opener. Shane Steichen said Alec Pierce is expected to be good to go for Week 1 against the Ravens, according to Joel Erickson.
On the defensive side, third-round safety A.J. Haulcy has been out of practice for two weeks because of an ankle issue, but Steichen would not rule him out for Sunday on Monday, per Nathan Brown.
In Jacksonville, Quinn Ewers is stepping into a new setting with a new team after being acquired in a trade from the Dolphins. With the Jaguars getting ready for their Week 1 matchup against the Browns, the quarterback said he’s eager to absorb everything he can in a short span.
“I’m just excited to be here and just trying to be a sponge and learn as much as I can in such a short amount of time,” Ewers told the team website. “Excited for the adventure.”
Houston is leaning into the pressure that comes with high expectations on defense. DeMeco Ryans said the Texans aren’t backing away from the talk surrounding that unit.
“Our defense can definitely be one of the best in the league… We don’t shy away from that.”
A big reason for that confidence is the pass-rushing pair of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Ryans said he has “never seen anything like” them together, praising the way they can take over a game.
“Not everyone has that luxury. Very disruptive.
They can wreck a game. What a blessing it is to have Will and Danielle on your side.
That makes me a better coach.”
Ryans also said there will be no ramp-up for Kayshon Boutte, who will be active and have a role in Week 1 against the Bills.
“Kayshon is picking up the playbook really well.”
Aaron Wilson of KPRC also reported that Jaylin Smith was fined $7,779 for a uniform violation.
In Tennessee, the spotlight is on Robert Saleh as he prepares for a Week 1 meeting with the Jets, but he’s not the only one with a former-team storyline. Titans defensive end Jermaine Johnson, traded to the team this offseason to reunite with Saleh, is set to face the Jets as well. Johnson said he’s focused on the bigger picture and isn’t interested in turning the opener into a soundbite game.
“There’s a lot of things I want to get to as a team, and I want to get to individually,” Johnson said via Jim Wyatt of the team website. “The Jets are just another thing in the way… But more than anything I am just ready to start this season, especially (being able to) go out there with this amazing group of guys and a coaching staff I am familiar with. I am excited to start the season off.”
In Other News...
Colts Defensive Overhaul Just Sent A Former Starter To A Rival
The Colts defensive makeover keeps reshaping the back end of the roster, and Jaylon Jones is the latest familiar name to land elsewhere. Indianapolis waived the cornerback, he cleared waivers, chose free agency and then signed with the Tennessee Titans, giving him a quick path to a division rival after previously spending time in a key role for the Colts.
Jones now reunites with Titans defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, who coached him in Indianapolis, while the Colts continue sorting out their secondary under new coordinator Lou Anarumo. The move is another sign that the scheme change is more than cosmetic for Indianapolis, with old pieces falling away as the team looks for defenders who fit the new approach better. [Read more 🡒]
Former Colts Starter Just Created An Awkward AFC South Test
Jaylon Jones move across the AFC South is the sort of roster swing that can linger on the schedule. The former Colts cornerback, who made 17 starts in 2024, was let go after injuries and a less effective 2025 season made it harder for Indianapolis to keep him in the mix. Tennessee wasted little time giving him a new home, adding him to the active roster as it continues reshaping its defense.
For the Colts, the awkward part is obvious: if these teams meet, Jones will be standing on the opposite sideline with a chance to line up against his old team. Tennessees new defensive setup could give him an opening to play, while Indianapolis enters the matchup with a cornerback group that looks far deeper and better positioned to limit whatever role he ends up carving out. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Richardson Suddenly Has A Colts Opportunity He Can't Waste
Sam Darnolds early exit in Seattle offered a reminder of how quickly a quarterback room can change, and for the Colts, that reality carries a direct effect on Anthony Richardson. Darnold was injured in the first game of the season and did not return, with Drew Lock taking over and helping the Seahawks finish off the win, while reports afterward said the MRI looked good. Even so, the episode underscored the fragile nature of a season behind center, especially for a team with quarterback depth questions already hanging over it.
For Richardson, the message is simple: stay ready, because an opportunity could arrive sooner than expected if Daniel Jones misses time at any point. The Colts have invested heavily in the quarterback position and need someone capable of stepping in without the offense losing its identity, which puts added importance on Richardson being prepared for whatever comes next. In a league where one injury can change the depth chart overnight, this is the kind of opening he cannot afford to let pass. [Read more 🡒]