The Indianapolis Colts visited Jacksonville at EverBank in Week 14, with both teams tied 8-4. Quarterback Daniel Jones, who had been carving out one of his best seasons, didn’t get the chance to lead his team to a win. Instead, this AFC South showdown turned out to be an abrupt and painful end to his season.

“Colts say QB Daniel Jones is out due to an Achilles injury,” Adam Schefter confirmed.

Jones went down in the first quarter after dropping back to pass. As he threw, his right foot slipped on the wet field, causing him to roll on his foot. The pain hit him instantly, and he dropped to the ground, clutching his lower right leg. 

The quarterback was clearly frustrated as he slammed his helmet onto the turf several times. Slowly, and clearly in discomfort, Jones pushed himself up with help from trainers and limped off toward the locker room with a non-contact injury.

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Jones was recently placed on the injury list in Week 12 with a fibula injury. Despite the pain, he pushed through and played against Kansas City and Houston, though the Colts ended up losing both games after the bye week.

Now that Jones is sidelined, the Colts turned to rookie Riley Leonard. He had only played in one game this season before, against the Titans in Week 8, where he threw two incomplete passes. Sunday is his first real chance to start in an NFL game.

The Colts had no choice but to turn to the rookie because Anthony Richardson Sr., their 2023 first-round backup quarterback, is already on injured reserve with a facial injury. For Jones, though, injuries are nothing new.

Drafted first overall by the New York Giants in 2019, he showed promise early, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns that rookie year while starting 12 of 13 games. But, even then, a high ankle sprain sidelined him for two games. The following years didn’t offer reprieve. 

In 2020, a hamstring injury and recurring ankle problems limited his appearances, diluting what had been a promising trajectory. The 2021 season was a heavier blow. A serious neck injury suffered against the Eagles forced him out for the season in Week 12.  

However, Jones bounced back in 2022, leading the Giants back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. But the Giants ultimately fell to the Eagles in the Divisional Round.

But injuries haunted him again in 2023. A brutal hit against the Miami Dolphins caused another neck injury and kept him off the field for almost a month. Though he recovered enough to return but his season ended prematurely after tearing his ACL.

And then the Colts benched Jones after his 2-8 record in the 2024 season. Now that Jones’ season is over, analysts across the football world are weighing in, trying to gauge the full impact and what lies ahead for him and the Colts.

What does Daniel Jones’ recovery timeline look like?

This season held hopeful prospects for Indianapolis after their 2020 playoff disappointment, where they lost to the Bills in the Wild Card. Losing Jones now shakes that hope. Medical experts and insiders have quickly added context to the situation, underscoring the gravity of an Achilles injury in football.

“Would love to see a view from the opposite side to see if there’s signs of an Achilles injury as Daniel Jones steps back with his right leg. But I’m leaning towards this being a calf or Achilles injury as of right now,” Jeff Mueller, a physical therapist, wrote on X.

Adding more clarity on Jones’ prognosis, NFL insider Ian Rapoport offered a recovery timeline for Jones.

“If the MRI confirms a torn Achilles, Daniel Jones will face a 9-month recovery that puts him right up against the start of 2026 season. Jones is a pending free agent, though Indy wants him back.”

Jones signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts this offseason. It’s worth $14 million, including a $6 million signing bonus and $13.15 million guaranteed. He’s set to hit free agency if the Colts don’t extend him.