The Colts got a useful early answer on Daniel Jones, and it came from one of the receivers who needs that answer to hold up.
Josh Downs watched Jones work in 11-on-11 drills with no limitations, and the quarterback didn’t look like a player easing back from an Achilles injury. He was moving well, throwing with conviction and operating like he’d never been away.
Downs’ reaction said plenty: “We were in Florida a couple weeks ago throwing, and I actually forgot he had gotten injured,” receiver Josh Downs said. “He looked so good out there.”
That matters for Indianapolis on a few different levels. Jones’ injury late last season helped crush what was already a fading playoff push, and there was plenty of reason to doubt he’d be ready for Week 1.
An Achilles issue of that kind usually raises real questions, especially if a player needs most of training camp just to get back into rhythm. Instead, Jones was already taking part in full-team work.
The Colts are also betting on Jones as a rare source of stability at quarterback. Since Andrew Luck’s surprising - and traumatic - retirement, that position has been a moving target. Chris Ballard made a point of keeping Jones in Indianapolis for the next two years, and if this early look is any indication, the plan might have a chance to stick.
There was skepticism baked into the evaluation, and for good reason. Jones has dealt with injuries before, and his career has had enough swings to keep the debate alive after seven full seasons.
But the physical traits have never been in question. Even the harshest take on him has to admit he has the tools to be a franchise-caliber quarterback.
What helps Jones now is the setup around him. The Colts’ offensive line should give him protection, and he can also help himself by cutting down on scrambles and avoiding unnecessary hits. On top of that, sports medicine has advanced enough that major injuries don’t always carry the same finish-line feel they once did, and Jones attacked his rehab with that urgency.
Downs’ role in all of this shouldn’t be overlooked either. He’s in a contract year, coming off a disappointing season, and with Michael Pittman Jr. gone, his connection with Jones becomes a central piece of the passing game.
Extra work together already looks like a promising sign. If the Colts are going to get where they want to go, that chemistry has to show up quickly - and Jones, at least for one practice, looked ready to start building it.
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