The Indianapolis Colts confirmed quarterback Daniel Jones suffered an Achilles injury in Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jones went down without contact in the first half:
His absence elevates sixth-round pick Riley Leonard to the starting role.
Should this prove to be the worst-case scenario, a torn Achilles would have massive implications for both Jones and Indianapolis.
The 28-year-old is a free agent in the offseason, and many considered him to be the top quarterback on the board. He threw for 3,041 yards and 19 touchdowns entering Sunday and seemed to unlock a new level in Indy.
If Jones will miss most or all of the 2026 offseason, general managers will respond accordingly.
The Colts, meanwhile, have to maintain their playoff push with an unproven rookie under center.
Leonard attempted a total of two NFL passes prior to Week 14. During the preseason, he had 345 passing yards along with one touchdown and an interception.
The fact the former Duke and Notre Dame star slipped to Day 3 of the 2025 NFL draft says all you need to know in terms of how teams evaluated him. In his lone season with the Fighting Irish, he averaged 178.8 passing yards per game.
Leonard was the No. 9 quarterback on Bleacher Report’s final big board, and B/R NFL scout Derrik Klassen compared him to Ryan Tannehill. He praised Leonard’s mobility and arm talent but said he had “inconsistent” lower-body mechanics and ball placement on short-to-intermediate throws.
Anthony Richardson Sr.’s orbital fracture looms even larger now. For as much as he has struggled in the NFL, leaning on Richardson would be a better contingency plan than elevating Leonard.
At the very least, the Colts will need to sign another player to fill out the QB room, and their options are going to be limited so deep into the regular season.
