Colts QB Daniel Jones Injury Update: Non-Contact Leg Blow vs. Jaguars Sparks Season-Ending Fears

Daniel Jones injury casts shadow over Colts’ Week 14 clash with Jaguars INDIANAPOLIS — What had been billed as a pivotal AFC South showdown quickly turned into an injury scare for the Indianapolis Colts when starting quarterback Daniel Jones crumpled to the turf on a non-contact play in the opening quarter at Jacksonville. The 28-year-old planted on his right foot after completing an out-route to Alec Pierce, immediately grabbed at his ankle/Achilles area and slammed his helmet in frustration before trainers helped him to the sideline. Early indications point to a potential Achilles injury in the same leg that already carries a surgically repaired fractured fibula suffered in October. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler reported Jones appeared to reach for his Achilles just before exiting for the locker room, where he was quickly ruled out of the game. Key details • Timing: Injury occurred with 9:44 left in 1Q, Colts leading 3-0. • Mechanism: Non-contact plant; Jones’ cleat stuck in natural turf. • Immediate fallout: Rookie backup Riley Leonard took over, with WR Michael Pittman Jr. handling emergency QB duties in the red-zone package. • Next steps: Jones will undergo MRI imaging Monday in Indianapolis; head coach Shane Steichen declined to speculate on severity during halftime TV interview. Playoff implications Indianapolis entered Week 14 at 8-4, one game behind Houston for the division lead. Losing Jones—who has completed 70.1 % of his passes with a 102.4 passer rating since arriving from the Giants in an offseason trade—would drastically alter the AFC playoff picture. The Colts’ remaining slate features three conference opponents (Raiders, Titans, Texans), making quarterback stability essential for tiebreakers. Fantasy & betting impact 1. Riley Leonard becomes a priority waiver add in superflex formats; his dual-threat profile mirrors Steichen’s RPO-heavy scheme. 2. Overs on Jonathan Taylor’s rushing attempts may see an uptick if Indianapolis leans on the ground game. 3. Futures bettors should monitor Colts division odds, which drifted from +175 to +275 at several sportsbooks within 15 minutes of Jones’ exit. What they’re saying • “It looked bad, he felt something pop,” a sideline source told local TV. • Former Giants teammate Saquon Barkley posted “Praying for my guy DJ” on X minutes after the play. • Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd: “You hate seeing that to any competitor—hope he’s back soon.” What’s next The Colts fly home Sunday evening; Steichen’s Monday press conference is set for 2 p.m. ET, where medical staff will provide an official diagnosis and timetable. Should Jones face a long-term absence, Indianapolis could elevate veteran Sam Ehlinger from the practice squad or explore free-agent options such as Gardner Minshew II. Search interest in “Daniel Jones injury update” is expected to spike throughout the week as fans await MRI results and fantasy managers scramble to adjust lineups.