Fun fact: Daniel Jones' highest-graded passing game of the 2025 season, by Pro Football Focus, came in Week 13 – when the Colts' quarterback was still dealing with a fibula injury.
Take that for what it's worth – Pro Football Focus grades don't always match how teams internally evaluate their players. But the tape matches the grade (of 83.1), with Jones standing tall in the pocket and ripping throws all over the field against the Houston Texans. Another way to look at it: The Colts' dropback EPA per play of +.130 was the highest any team has had against Houston's stingy defense all season.
It didn't result in a win, or even crossing the 20-point mark. Tangible results are what impact the thing that counts – the Colts' win-loss record – and the Colts' 20-16 loss dropped them to 8-4. But the Colts remain confident in what Jones can do behind center, and do not feel like his fibula injury is condensing what they're able to get to as an offense.
"I think he's playing well, playing efficiently, spreading the ball around to guys, managing the offense within each weekly game plan against some pretty good defenses that throw different things at you and create different problems," offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said. "Doing a lot of good there. We're always conscious of all our guys, who's out there. Some guys are dealing with stuff throughout the NFL season, and we try to do what we can to put them in position to go have success.
"But like Shane said a few times, Daniel's sort of no restrictions. We're able to go out there and play ball and do whatever we can go do to beat our opponent."
Jones on Wednesday was asked if his fibula injury was keeping him from moving outside the pocket; head coach Shane Steichen pointed out earlier this week one Jones' two touchdowns against the Texans came with him rolling to his right before connecting with tight end Tyler Warren.
"I feel good," Jones said. "I think I'm feeling better every week, and continue to do more and more. I think, yeah, just being mindful of the injury and doing whatever I can to put the team in a position to win."
Still, Jones is battling through the injury to not only play, but play at a level the Colts believe he can reach. And as the Colts look to get their 2025 season back on track for a critical final five-game stretch, Steichen also sees Jones' ability and willingness to play through his fibula injury as being inspirational to the other players on the Colts' roster.
"It's a huge impact," Steichen said. "I mean, when a guy is out there dealing with an injury, it just shows the toughness and what he's willing to put on the line for the guys. I think that shows the guys how much he cares, that he wants to be out there with them and playing – still playing great ball. It's pretty impressive to watch."
Wednesday's practice report:
