According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Indianapolis Colts injured starting quarterback Daniel Jones may face a shorter recovery from his season-ending Achilles surgery than initially expected.
It was first speculated to be at least a 9-month recovery timeline for Jones, who underwent successful surgery to repair his torn Achilles this past Tuesday, which would’ve pushed him closer to the start of the 2026 regular season opener.
“Daniel Jones underwent surgery Tuesday in New York that is expected to sideline him for six to eight months, giving the Indianapolis Colts quarterback the ability to be fully cleared for the start of next summer’s training camp, sources told ESPN,” Schefter writes.
“The belief still is that Jones will play next year in Indianapolis, but his contract expires after this season and he is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.”
That seems a bit optimistic for the pending free agent quarterback, who assuredly will be a priority one for Indianapolis—albeit potentially with the franchise tag at play or on a shorter-term deal.
I’m also not a medical doctor though.
It’s also worth noting that even if Jones does return that soon, what kind of shape will he actually be in? Torn Achilles can sap explosiveness, and often times, it’s a longer road to recovery for pro athletes to regain their prior form—if they even do at all. Jones plays quarterback, which may be easier to recover at, but it’ll take a bit.
Still, the new pairing largely worked out well during Jones debut campaign with the Colts, as he helped lead and run one of the league’s most prolific offenses at 8-2 before he was limited in mobility by playing through a fractured fibula which hindered the offense’s effectiveness in more recent weeks collectively.
The Colts have since lost three straight games and are now on the outside looking in for the AFC’s playoffs.
Jones should be lauded for his leadership and toughness playing through the fractured fibula, which have arguably led the torn Achilles, as his right healthy leg tried to overcompensate. There’s presumably some recognition from the Colts ownership and top brass that Jones cost himself some money and job security by trying to help his team win games, playing through the initial injury and presumably some lower leg pain.
While Jones torn Achilles complicates his future contract negotiations with the Colts, who didn’t negotiate an extension with Jones in season, it’s not as though Indianapolis has many other viable options regardless.
The team does not have a first round pick in 2026 to find a successor, the 44-year-old Philip Rivers is merely a late season band aid, and it seems unlikely that the Colts will turn back to since demoted quarterback Anthony Richardson again next season, unless there’s an injury at their starting quarterback position.
Bringing Jones back on a 1-2 year deal for Indianapolis makes sense for both sides, given the success they shared, but a past serious suitor of Jones, the Minnesota Vikings specifically, shouldn’t be entirely ruled out either.
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