Colts Reeling After Daniel Jones Achilles Injury: Can Indy Salvage a Season That Once Looked Promising?
For the first two months of the season, Daniel Jones was one of the NFL’s most talked-about comeback stories. After a 7-1 start, the Indianapolis Colts looked like a team with real playoff bite, and Jones was at the center of it all-commanding the offense, making smart decisions, and giving Colts fans a reason to believe. But in the blink of an eye, that momentum has come to a screeching halt.
During Sunday’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones went down with a non-contact knee injury-never a good sign. He took a few steps, then dropped to the turf, clearly in discomfort. Moments like these are hard to watch, especially when it’s a player who’s been such a key part of a team’s identity.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport later confirmed what many feared: Jones suffered an Achilles injury. That’s a brutal blow, not just for the quarterback, but for a Colts team that’s now staring down a very different reality than it was just a few weeks ago.
Former Colts punter and fan favorite Pat McAfee summed up the sentiment of many in the Indianapolis community with a heartfelt post on social media: “I love you Danny Dimes. I’m sorry man.”
It’s a gut punch. There’s no other way to put it.
Next Man Up: Riley Leonard’s Time Arrives
With Jones sidelined and Anthony Richardson already on injured reserve, the Colts are turning to Riley Leonard. The rookie now finds himself thrust into the spotlight, tasked with keeping the team’s playoff hopes alive in the thick of December football. It’s a tall order for any quarterback, let alone one just getting his footing in the league.
Behind Leonard, the Colts have Brett Rypien on the practice squad. He’s expected to be elevated to the active roster, either as a backup or potential starter depending on how things unfold. But make no mistake-this is Leonard’s team for now.
A Brutal Stretch Awaits
The timing couldn’t be worse. The Colts, sitting at 8-4 after Week 14, are about to run the gauntlet.
Their remaining schedule features no teams below .500. Up next: a road trip to face the 9-3 Seattle Seahawks.
After that, it’s the 9-4 San Francisco 49ers, the 8-4 Jaguars again, and then a Week 18 showdown with the 7-5 Houston Texans-also on the road.
That’s four straight games against playoff-caliber opponents, with a rookie quarterback under center and their season hanging in the balance.
Leaning on Jonathan Taylor
If there’s a silver lining, it’s Jonathan Taylor. The star running back is still one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league.
If the Colts are going to survive this stretch, it’ll be on the back of Taylor’s legs. Expect Indianapolis to lean heavily on the run game, control the clock, and try to take pressure off Leonard as much as possible.
But even with Taylor in the backfield, the road ahead is steep. The Colts were once 7-1.
Now, after a 1-3 skid and the loss of their starting quarterback, they’re at risk of finishing below .500. A final record of 8-9 would represent one of the sharpest midseason collapses we’ve seen in recent memory.
Still Time, But the Margin Is Thin
All that said, the season isn’t over. Not yet.
A couple of wins over this final month could still punch the Colts’ ticket to the postseason. But the margin for error is razor-thin.
The defense will need to step up. The offensive line must protect their young quarterback.
And Taylor will have to be nothing short of elite.
It’s a tough spot-no sugarcoating it. But football seasons are long and unpredictable.
The Colts still have a chance to write a different ending to this story. Whether they can rise to the moment without Daniel Jones will define how this 2025 campaign is ultimately remembered in Indianapolis.