Daniel Jones injury update: Latest news on Colts QB after exiting with non-contact Achilles injury vs. Jaguars

Daniel Mader

Daniel Jones injury update: Latest news on Colts QB after exiting with non-contact Achilles injury vs. Jaguars image

The Indianapolis Colts have exceeded many expectations for the 2025 season, success that can be heavily attributed to Daniel Jones.

The former New York Giants quarterback won the Colts' QB1 job after signing a one-year deal in the offseason, and has proceeded to lead one of the AFC's best offenses through Week 14. 

However, as the Colts had a critical AFC South matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Jones left the game with a non-contact Achilles injury.

Here's the latest on Jones after leaving the Week 14 game.

MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture

Daniel Jones injury updates

This section will be updated.

Jones was off to a 5-for-7 start with an interception on Sunday, trailing the Jaguars 14-7 in the first quarter. He has been playing through a fractured fibula in his left leg, but his new injury appeared to impact his right leg.

Jones' lower part of his right leg appeared to buckle in when he made a throw, and he immediately went to the ground and grabbed toward his calf/Achilles area. Trainers came out to look at Jones, who slammed his helmet onto the ground in frustration from the injury. 

The Colts officially ruled Jones out for the rest of the game with an Achilles injury.

Jones left the game limping to the locker room, and backup Riley Leonard entered at quarterback for the Colts.

What happened to Daniel Jones?

Jones left the Colts' Week 14 game in the first quarter with an Achilles injury. It appeared to be a non-contact injury, as the quarterback's lower right leg buckled in when he made a throw.

Jones has been playing through a fractured fibula in his left leg, but the Week 14 injury was to his right leg. The Colts ruled him out for the remainder of their game against Jacksonville.

Colts QB depth chart

RankPlayer
1Daniel Jones
2Riley Leonard
3Anthony Richardson (IR)

Jones won the QB1 job in Indianapolis over Anthony Richardson, the team's former first-round pick, in training camp. Since then, Jones has had full control of the Colts' offense, while Richardson was placed on IR in October.

Richardson has been dealing with an orbital fracture due to a "freak pregame incident in October," head coach Shane Steichen said, per ESPN. Richardson is "closer to gaining clearance from his doctors" and he has not been ruled out for the rest of 2025.

Should Jones remain out, the Colts' only other immediate option is rookie Riley Leonard, the former Notre Dame quarterback who was drafted in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Leonard entered for Jones in Week 14 after his injury.

If Jones cannot return this season, the Colts' immediate quarterback would be Leonard, but if Richardson can get healthy, he'd likely earn a lot of interest to reclaim the QB1 role.

Colts remaining schedule

The Colts are still contending for the AFC North title, but the Jaguars and Texans are in the mix as well.

Here's Indianapolis' remaining regular season schedule.

DateMatchupTime (ET)
Sunday, Dec. 14at Seahawks4:25 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 22vs. 49ers8:15 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 28vs. Jaguars1 p.m.
TBDat TexansTBD
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