INDIANAPOLIS — Daniel Jones, the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, participated in joint practices with the Atlanta Falcons at Grand Park Sports Campus on Wednesday. Jones reported no physical limitations during post-practice remarks following his recovery from a torn right Achilles tendon.

"I think with any major rehab process, you're always kind of progressing and getting back and getting used to doing everything, building up the reps on it, building up just your conditioning level," Jones said. "I feel really good and there's nothing I don't feel good doing."

Colts coach Shane Steichen stated that Jones' Achilles injury has not impacted him during practice. Wide receiver Josh Downs observed that the quarterback looked comfortable early in camp. Tight end Mo Alie-Cox added that Jones looks like he never got hurt.

The Colts signed Jones to a two-year, $88 million contract. Through 10 weeks of the 2025 season, the Indianapolis Colts offense led the NFL in yards, scoring, EPA per play, success rate, and DVOA. The team held a plus-115 point differential and recorded four wins of 21 or more points during that stretch.

Jones completed 68% of his passes for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 13 starts during the 2025 season. He posted a 100.2 passer rating and averaged 8.1 yards per attempt. The Colts started the 2025 season with an 8-2 record before Jones suffered additional injuries, including a fractured fibula in his left leg which he played through for several weeks.

The Indianapolis Colts did not win another game after Daniel Jones was injured in the 2025 season, losing their final seven games to finish 8-9. CBS Sports named Daniel Jones the Colts' player on the "hot seat" entering the 2026 season.

"I think the offense is very versatile," Jones said. "There’s a lot of different components to it. I think we’re able to run the ball well. I think we’re good in the RPO game. We’re good throwing it quick. We can throw the ball down the field." Jones also said, "I got to get my numbers back up," and I will. Wide receiver Keenan Allen expressed support, saying, Danny’s [Daniel Jones] is a guy who is getting better every year. "Last year he was on a big roll, and I want to be part of that and help him be the safety blanket that I am." Steichen added, He's been productive every single year he's been in the league. "So obviously, we want him to be productive again this year."

Jones reached a speed of 21.23 mph during an 80-yard run in 2020. Post-surgery tracking recorded his top speed at 19.7 mph. Less than four months after his Achilles surgery, Jones threw for passes during an offseason workout at Philip Rivers' home in Alabama. His personal quarterbacks coach, David Morris, stated that Jones occasionally had to be told to ease up during those workouts.

During a Sunday training camp practice prior to the joint sessions, Jones finished 4 of 11 passing. He threw interceptions on back-to-back plays, with defensive lineman Laiatu Latu deflecting one pass into the arms of Mekhi Blackmon and free safety Camryn Bynum intercepting another. Jones also fumbled a snap and left practice with a wrist injury, though he returned later with it wrapped. Quarterback Anthony Richardson also threw an interception on his first pass of Sunday's 11-on-11 drills, with cornerback Jaylon Jones intercepting a pass intended for Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.

At the joint practices, Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw a pick-six to Colts cornerback Justin Walley. Falcons receiver Drake London made a catch over Walley, and running back Bijan Robinson made a one-handed catch. Backup running back Brian Robinson tackled Colts defensive back Jonathan Owens.

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has not been cleared for 11-on-11 work due to an ACL injury sustained last season. Falcons linebacker Jalon Walker is out for the 2026 season, and player James Pearce Jr. is suspended for the first eight games of the 2026 season.

Several Colts players did not participate fully in the recent practices. Keenan Allen did not practice during the joint session with the Atlanta Falcons. Wide receiver Alec Pierce is sidelined due to an offseason ankle injury.

Tight end Tyler Warren sustained a groin injury during team drills and did not return to practice. Middle linebacker CJ Allen returned to practice after missing more than a week due to a hamstring injury, and nose tackle Derrick Nnadi also returned. Cornerback Charvarius Ward missed practice due to a back injury, while wide receiver Anthony Gould, running back DJ Giddens, offensive tackle Luke Tenuta, and offensive tackle Nolan Rucci also missed practice.

The Colts have gone 9-8, 8-9, and 8-9 in their three seasons under head coach Shane Steichen, missing the playoffs in each year. DraftKings Sportsbook set the Indianapolis Colts' 2026 win total odds at Over 7.5 (-140) and Under 7.5 (+115). Anthony Richardson was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

He completed 47.7% of his passes with 12 interceptions and eight touchdowns in 11 starts during the 2024 season and suffered a fractured orbital bone during the 2025 season. The Colts declined Richardson's fifth-year option, and he is set to hit free agency after the 2026 campaign.

Timeline

Andrew Luck won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2018. Daniel Jones tore his right Achilles tendon on December 7, 2025, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Daniel Jones underwent surgery for his Achilles injury two days after the tear.

What's New

Later reporting confirmed that Daniel Jones signed a two-year, $88 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Colts coach Shane Steichen stated that Daniel Jones' Achilles injury has not impacted him during practice. It was also reported that the Indianapolis Colts did not win another game after Daniel Jones was injured in the 2025 season. Additional details emerged that Daniel Jones completed 68% of his passes for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 13 starts during the 2025 season. Further reporting indicated that Daniel Jones finished 4 of 11 passing in a Sunday training camp practice. It was also revealed that Daniel Jones threw for passes during an offseason workout at Philip Rivers' home in Alabama less than four months after his Achilles surgery. Reports also noted that Daniel Jones threw interceptions on back-to-back plays during a Sunday training camp practice, and that Colts defensive lineman Laiatu Latu deflected a pass from Daniel Jones into the arms of Mekhi Blackmon for an interception during a Sunday practice.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on specific statistical figures for Daniel Jones. Colts.com reported that Daniel Jones completed 68% of his passes for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 13 starts during the 2025 season. In contrast, web sources stated that Daniel Jones averaged 8.1 yards per pass attempt in the 2025 season, which ranked among the top 10 in the NFL for that metric.

There are also differences in detail regarding Jones' role and context. Primary and additional sources identified Daniel Jones as the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. Web sources showed that the Indianapolis Colts have had multiple quarterback injuries in recent seasons, including Andrew Luck's retirement in 2019 and the 2025 season-ending injuries to Daniel Jones, which led to the team relying on backup quarterbacks like Riley Leonard and Philip Rivers. Web sources explained that the Indianapolis Colts signed Daniel Jones to a two-year, $88 million contract in part due to his strong performance in the first half of the 2025 season before his injury. Differences also appear in season narratives. Web sources attributed the contract signing to his strong performance in the first half of the 2025 season. Additionally, cbssports.com reported that the Indianapolis Colts did not win another game after Daniel Jones was injured in the 2025 season, while web sources noted that the Colts' 2025 season started with an 8-2 record, but after Daniel Jones' injuries, the team lost their final seven games, finishing 8-9.

Why It Matters

Daniel Jones' return to full practice participation follows a season where the Colts' performance declined sharply after his injury. The team went from leading the NFL in multiple offensive categories through 10 weeks to losing their final seven games. His $88 million contract and the team's reliance on him as the starter place expectations on his ability to replicate his early-season form. The Colts have missed the playoffs in each of their three seasons under Steichen, and Jones' health is central to improving their 7.5 win total projection.

The situation is further complicated by the status of Anthony Richardson, the former fourth overall pick who is set for free agency after 2026. With Richardson's fifth-year option declined and his own injury history, including a fractured orbital bone in 2025, the quarterback room remains a focal point. Jones' designation as a top Comeback Player of the Year candidate by NFL.com, behind only Patrick Mahomes, reflects the league's attention on his recovery. Quarterbacks have won 17 of the last 25 such awards, including Andrew Luck in 2018, showing the precedent for successful returns from significant injuries.