In the lead-up to Week 14 of the NFL season, one of the most anticipated matchups was Daniel Jones’ Indianapolis Colts visiting Trevor Lawrence’s Jacksonville Jaguars. The winner in Florida would emerge as the new leader and heavy favorite in the AFC South. However, everything changed quickly, and the final score became secondary.
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In the first quarter, Daniel Jones suffered a severe Achilles tendon injury in his right leg. As the Colts quarterback released the ball, he lost his footing, fell to the turf, and immediately grabbed the lower part of his leg. Visibly in pain, he hit his helmet in frustration, tried to stand up, but couldn’t stay on his feet. It was a heartbreaking moment.
From that point on, Riley Leonard took over the Colts’ offense but could do very little, and the team was ultimately crushed 36-19 by the Jaguars. Even though they remain in the playoff picture on paper, things look complicated without Daniel Jones. The team hasn’t made it official yet, but Jones is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Daniel Jones’ teammates are shaken
There is no doubt Daniel Jones won the hearts of Colts fans and, most importantly, his teammates. The quarterback, who was originally expected to be a backup this season, quickly earned the starting job and opened the year with a 7-1 record. But he dealt with an injury that slowly wore him down, culminating in what happened against the Jaguars.
Jones was also one of the team captains, and the atmosphere in the locker room is heavy. Stephen Holder, Colts insider for ESPN, said he hadn’t seen a Colts locker room this devastated in many years. He also shared the reaction of running back Jonathan Taylor regarding his quarterback: “That was definitely a gut punch.”
Daniel Jones had been playing through a fractured fibula in his left leg, proving he is a warrior, but his body couldn’t take any more. The Achilles injury not only ends his season but also affects his future, especially with free agency coming this offseason. Even so, the Colts’ plan is to bring him back.
It will be interesting to see what happens during the upcoming offseason because Indianapolis doesn’t have a first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 Drafts after sending them to the New York Jets in exchange for Sauce Gardner. Given how beloved Jones is in the locker room, it’s very likely the Colts try to bring him back next season despite the injury.
