A month after undergoing surgery on a torn Achilles', Colts quarterback Daniel Jones said in January his expectation was to be ready to go for the start of training camp in July.
Nothing's transpired over the last half-year that's indicated Jones won't be able to accomplish his stated goal. After signing a new contract with the Colts in March, Jones progressed in his recovery process from dropping back and throwing to taking part in individual work to, for the final two weeks of the offseason program, participating in seven-on-seven periods of OTA and minicamp practices.
We'll find out on Wednesday, July 29 if Jones indeed takes the field for the Colts' first training camp practice of 2026. From there, we'll find out what the Colts' plan for managing Jones is over the course of about three weeks of training camp, with an eye on Sept. 13's season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.
The key question there is when Jones will be cleared to participate in full-team, 11-on-11 periods of practice. When Jones participated in seven-on-seven (which are without an offensive line or defensive line) during OTAs, he was given the directive from head coach Shane Steichen to not scramble outside the pocket; there was no benefit in taking any risk, however small, three months before Jones' dropbacks start to matter.
As both the season approaches and Jones gets further from his injury, we'll see how the Colts balance things in practice.
Still, that Jones was even able to be on the field for seven-on-seven was a testament to how hard the 29-year-old worked – and is still working – since sustaining that torn Achilles' on Dec. 7, 2025.
"You kind of look at the history of Achilles injuries and I know some guys heal faster than others, but six months out there running around with the guys was pretty impressive," Steichen said. "I think some of these injuries – eight, nine months, right in there and he's kind of on track, or maybe a little bit ahead of schedule. So, very pleased with that."
We'll have plenty of time to analyze how Jones looks during training camp, which will be highlighted by three joint practices (one with the New England Patriots in Foxborough, two with the Atlanta Falcons at Grand Park). But what we do know is Jones has done everything in his power to get back on the field as soon as possible.
Who's Jones' backup?
While Jones is the Colts' unquestioned QB1, the team's two backups from 2025 will compete in training camp to be QB2 in 2026.
Anthony Richardson Sr. began 2025 as the Colts' backup quarterback, a role he held until a freak pregame accident ended his season in Week 6. Leonard took over from there, tagging in after Jones' Achilles' injury in Week 14 and then starting Week 18 against the Houston Texans (and having an impressive showing in that game.)
During OTAs, Richardson and Leonard had an even split of first-team reps when Jones was not on the field; when Jones was, they split second-team reps 50/50. Richardson, who requested a trade earlier in the offseason, returned to the Colts during their voluntary offseason program this spring and earned positive reviews from coaches and teammates for his professionalism and mentality.
"Both of those guys are having a good offseason," Steichen said. "They're both doing some really good things and it's back and forth right now, and so we'll see where that goes."
We'll see how things shake out rep-wise during training camp, but there's rarely downside to competition. Preseason games may be an important stage for both quarterbacks.
View behind-the-scenes photos from the Colts' 2026 Media Day.
WR Alec Pierce #14 and CB Sauce Gardner #1
Grace Ramsey Senior Graphic Designer and DE Laiatu Latu #97
Grace Ramsey Senior Graphic Designer and DE Laiatu Latu #97
DT Adetomiwa Adebawore #95 and Grace Ramsey Senior Graphic Designer
S Camryn Bynum #0 and Grace Ramsey - Senior Graphic Designer
Grace Ramsey - Senior Graphic Designer and S Camryn Bynum #0
Grace Ramsey - Senior Graphic Designer and S Camryn Bynum #0
Grace Ramsey - Senior Graphic Designer and S Camryn Bynum #0
Grace Ramsey - Senior Graphic Designer and S Camryn Bynum #0
Sherard Allen -Manager, Digital Marketing & Media and K Blake Grupe #10
Grant Wayner - Senior Graphic Designer and WR Alec Pierce #14
WR Alec Pierce #14 and Grant Wayner - Senior Graphic Designer
DE Laiatu Latu #97 and Matt Bowen - Creative Director of Photographic Services
Ali Demas - Social Media Operations Manager, Brianna Gazmarian Director of Social Media and WR Laquon Treadwell #13
JJ Stankevitz - Writer/Audio Initiatives Manager and TE Tyler Warren #84
JJ Stankevitz - Writer/Audio Initiatives Manager and TE Tyler Warren #84
JJ Stankevitz - Writer/Audio Initiatives Manager and TE Tyler Warren #84
Matt Taylor - Voice of Indianapolis Colts Manager of Radio Production, TE Tyler Warren #84 and JJ Stankevitz - Writer/Audio Initiatives Manager
WR Alec Pierce #14
Sherard Allen -Manager, Digital Marketing & Media and DT Derrick Nnadi #92
Matt Bowen - Creative Director of Photographic Services, TE Mo Alie-Cox #81 and Grace Ramsey - Senior Graphic Designer
Matt Bowen - Creative Director of Photographic Services, TE Mo Alie-Cox #81 and Grace Ramsey Senior Graphic Designer
Matt Bowen - Creative Director of Photographic Services, TE Mo Alie-Cox #81 and Grace Ramsey - Senior Graphic Designer
Erin Webster - Senior Graphic Designer, CB Cam Taylor-Britt #26 and Sherard Allen - Manager, Digital Marketing & Media
Erin Webster - Senior Graphic Designer, CB Cam Taylor-Britt #26 and Sherard Allen - Manager, Digital Marketing & Media
Erin Webster - Senior Graphic Designer, Sherard Allen - Manager, Digital Marketing & Media and CB Cam Taylor-Britt #26
Veronica Smith - Social Media Associate and CB Cam Taylor-Britt #26
LB Austin Ajiake #58
LB Austin Ajiake #58
Ali Demas - Social Media Operations Manager, Brianna Gazmarian Director of Social Media and S Juanyeh Thomas #33
TE Mo Alie-Cox #81 and JJ Stankevitz - Writer/Audio Initiatives Manager
Erin Webster - Senior Graphic Designer, Matt Bowen - Creative Director of Photographic Services, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine # 12 and Sherard Allen - Manager, Digital Marketing & Media
Grant Wayner - Senior Graphic Designer and CB Sauce Gardner #1
CB Sauce Gardner #1
CB Sauce Gardner #1
CB Sauce Gardner #1
Erin Webster - Senior Graphic Designer and QB Anthony Richardson Sr. #5
Grant Wayner - Senior Graphic Designer, CB Sauce Gardner #1 and Maylea Salmon - Photographic Services Associate
Grant Wayner - Senior Graphic Designer, CB Sauce Gardner #1 and Maylea Salmon - Photographic Services Associate
CB Sauce Gardner #1 and Maylea Salmon - Photographic Services Associate
Maylea Salmon - Photographic Services Associate and CB Sauce Gardner #1
CB Sauce Gardner #1 and Maylea Salmon - Photographic Services Associate
Amber Derrow Senior Director of Content Strategy and Operations and CB Sauce Gardner #1
Amber Derrow Senior Director of Content Strategy and Operations and CB Sauce Gardner #1
CB Sauce Gardner #1 and Matt Bowen - Creative Director of Photographic Services
Matt Bowen - Creative Director of Photographic Services and CB Sauce Gardner #1
Grace Ramsey - Senior Graphic Designer, Matt Bowen - Creative Director of Photographic Services and CB Sauce Gardner #1
Grace Ramsey - Senior Graphic Designer, Matt Bowen - Creative Director of Photographic Services and CB Sauce Gardner #1
Grace Ramsey Senior Graphic Designer, CB Sauce Gardner #1 and Matt Bowen - Creative Director of Photographic Services
WR Alec Pierce #14 and CB Sauce Gardner #1
Matt Bowen - Creative Director of Photographic Services, WR Alec Pierce #14 and CB Sauce Gardner #1
Matt Bowen - Creative Director of Photographic Services, WR Alec Pierce #14 and CB Sauce Gardner #1
Matt Bowen - Creative Director of Photographic Services and WR Alec Pierce #14
Erin Webster - Senior Graphic Designer, DE Micheal Clemons #72 and Sherard Allen -Manager, Digital Marketing & Media
WR Alec Pierce #14 and Matt Bowen - Creative Director of Photographic Services
S Camryn Bynum #0 and JJ Stankevitz - Writer/Audio Initiatives Manager
JJ Stankevitz - Writer/Audio Initiatives Manager and S Camryn Bynum #0
CB Sauce Gardner #1
CB Sauce Gardner #1
DE Caden Curry #55 and Grant Wayner - Senior Graphic Designer
DE Caden Curry #55
QB Daniel Jones #17
Grace Ramsey Senior Graphic Designer and WR Ashton Dulin #16
Grace Ramsey - Senior Graphic Designer and WR Ashton Dulin #16
Grace Ramsey Senior Graphic Designer and WR Deion Burks #80
LB CJ Allen #53 and Grace Ramsey Senior Graphic Designer
