The Indianapolis Colts have just wrapped up mandatory minicamp that ran from June 9 to June 11. This was the last get together before they have several weeks off ahead of training camp in July.
While some players will use this time to rest up and take some vacations, quarterback Daniel Jones is locked in. He was on the practice field for the Colts in minicamp, where he was seen running and taking 7-on-7 reps. He even asked the team to participate in 11-on-11, but the Colts pumped the brakes on that.
That was the right call since he tore his Achilles tendon seven months ago, but the fact that he feels ready to take things up a notch shows where he's at in terms of rehab. And that means that the Colts could avoid the horrible scenario of having to start either Riley Leonard or Anthony Richardson Sr. to start the season.
Daniel Jones may be ready in Week 1 for the Indianapolis Colts
Jones is coming off a serious injury that typically takes a year-plus for players to return to the field, yet that may not be the case here. The biggest hurdle that Jones needs to clear is seeing how he moves when pressure collapses the pocket.
Having to move off your spot and go through progressions is the next step in Jones' comeback. Head coach Shane Steichen expressed that the plan is for Jones to resume 11-on-11 activities when training camp starts. Indianapolis has a joint practice against the New England Patriots on Aug. 11. That will give Jones the chance to go up against another team and see how he holds up.
Regardless, Jones has taken this rehab personal and his teammates are seeing all the work he has put in, including guard Quenton Nelson.
"He gets here early. He’s here late, and he’s doing things that matter to help him be at his best. You just really appreciate that in all facets of the game. He works endlessly to reach his whole potential, and that’s just a guy you can really appreciate, especially at that position. He sets the example for the whole team because everyone’s looking at him.”
Nelson even called Jones "the hardest worker on the team.” His teammates see all the work and time he's putting in to be ready for the 2026 season, and those things don't go unnoticed. Especially with how well the Colts played with Jones at the helm.
In 13 games last year, Jones led the team to an 8-5 record. In those outings, he completed 68 percent of his throws for 3,101 passing yards and 19 passing touchdowns. He also added another five rushing scores on the ground. The offense and team were extremely effective, but things went downhill once Jones was sidelined.
The Colts ended up losing five straight games once Jones went down and even brought Phillip Rivers out of retirement. That shows how they felt about Leonard. Although he's going into his second year, the Colts can't rely on him. The same goes for Richardson.
Potentially having Jones out there for Week 1 would be huge, and based on the reports that have come out, there seems to be a good chance he'll be on the field in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens.
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