Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen had a weird Week 12. Instead of using running back Jonathan Taylor a lot in the second half while Indy had a lead and needed to use the clock, Steichen had quarterback Daniel Jones keep throwing the ball even more as the game got closer to the end.
Compounding the issue, not that Steichen or the Colts will admit it, is that Jones was obviously not 100 percent. He had a calf issue entering the game and was limited in at least one practice ahead of Week 12. The QB obviously couldn't push off as well, and it affected the way Indy has been playing.
In the games before playing the Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis wasn't afraid to go for fourth-and-shorts. In Week 12, the team passed on doing so a few times. Again, the team would never admit the root of the issue, but Jones's calf problem must have affected the in-game decisions.
Indianapolis Colts should rest a limited Daniel Jones
Which is why Shane Steichen's decision to keep having Jones throw the ball is so maddening. The Colts have the best running back in the NFL, and failed to use him while overusing a quarterback that wasn't fully healthy.
If there was any doubt as to Daniel Jones not being 100 percent, the thought was disproven by the fact that the quarterback was listed as limited again ahead of Week 13. Indianapolis almost got a victory in Kansas City, but the play-calling and health of the quarterback failed them. While it wouldn't have been a pretty game, Indy likely should have just sat Jones.
The Indianapolis Colts are obviously a good team with a very good chance of making the playoffs and potentially making a nice run once in the postseason, but none of that will happen if the quarterback has been playing injured and hasn't been able to rest the injury.
The calf issue is lingering into the Colts' Week 13 matchup against the Houston Texans. While KC defense was solid, a somewhat limited Jones will be facing a terrific Texans defense. That doesn't portend good things for Indianapolis.
Instead of risking Daniel Jones to further injury, maybe the team should rest Danny Dimes. Does that mean Indy might lose and fall to 8-4? Possibly, but at least the quarterback would be mostly healthy entering the final stretch of the season.
Update: Reports have Jones as suffering a fractured fibula, but he is still practicing through the injury. Even more reason to rest him.