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

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. He did not return as the Colts fell 36-19, and he was later ruled out for the season with an Achilles tear.

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

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Daniel Jones injury updates

Jones was officially diagnosed with a torn Achilles, and he will have surgery. 

Per Adam Schefter, Jones underwent surgery for the tear, and he is expected to make a full recovery in six to eight months. That puts him on track to be ready by summer training camp.

Jones was off to a 5-for-7 start with an interception in Week 14, trailing the Jaguars 14-7 in the first quarter. He had 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, before it was later diagnosed as an Achilles tear.

Here’s the play on which Daniel Jones was hurt: pic.twitter.com/RLJkYCAn4b

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

Jones was later seen in a walking boot on the Colts' sideline.

Daniel Jones on Colts sideline in walking boot pic.twitter.com/yct5LcZVxs

Postgame, head coach Shane Steichen said that Jones' injury "could be season-ending," which was later confirmed.

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. He was later diagnosed with an Achilles tear, ending his 2025 season.

Jones had been playing through a fractured fibula in his left leg, but the Week 14 injury was to his right leg. 

Colts QB depth chart

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 options were rookie Riley Leonard, the former Notre Dame quarterback who was drafted in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and practice squad member Brett Rypien. Leonard entered for Jones in Week 14 after his injury.

If Jones cannot return this season, the Colts' immediate quarterback was set Leonard — until they signed Philip Rivers out of free agency.

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.