Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones confirmed this week that he has received full clearance to participate in training camp, putting behind him the Achilles injury that abruptly ended his 2025 season.
Speaking publicly ahead of camp, Jones said he feels good overall and expects to take part in full team drills once official practices begin. Colts players are set to report this week, with the team’s first practice scheduled for later in the week.
Where Jones stands in his recovery
Jones acknowledged there remains some final work to complete as the team prepares for its season opener against Baltimore, but described himself as feeling very positive about his current progress. He explained that he can already perform every aspect of the position without restriction, though he continues working to close out the last small piece of his recovery process. He expressed confidence that within the coming weeks, as he gets deeper into full team drills, he will feel completely back to normal.
A breakout season cut short
Jones put together a standout year for the Colts during the 2025 season before his year ending injury in December, leading an offense that had been on pace to challenge franchise passing records through the first half of the season. The team also opened that season with a strong record before Jones dealt with a leg injury on one side that preceded further struggles, ultimately followed by the more serious Achilles tear on the opposite leg that ended his season entirely.
Before that injury, Jones had set new personal bests across several statistical categories, including passing efficiency, quarterback rating and completion percentage, numbers that reflected a genuine step forward in his development as a starting quarterback.
A new contract reflects the team’s confidence
Following that franchise tag designation earlier in the offseason, Jones ultimately signed a new multi year deal worth tens of millions guaranteed, with additional earning potential built into the contract, a clear signal of the organization’s confidence in him as the long term answer at quarterback heading into this season.
Jones won’t have his top target early in camp
While Jones himself will be full participant from the start of camp, his top wide receiver will not join him immediately. The team confirmed that its leading pass catcher, who signed a significant new contract of his own this offseason, has been placed on a list reserved for players still recovering from injury, following ankle surgery earlier this year. That receiver had previously acknowledged the possibility of missing a significant portion of camp, and potentially the preseason as well, as he continues his own recovery process.
With Jones healthy and ready to lead the offense, but one of his most important weapons sidelined for now, the Colts will need to navigate the opening stretch of camp carefully as they build toward the regular season opener.
