Daniel Jones just gave Indianapolis Colts fans something real to feel good about. The quarterback, who tore his Achilles back in early December during a loss to the Jaguars, told reporters Friday that he’s been fully cleared for all football activities. No restrictions. No caveats. Just a guy who’s been grinding through a brutal rehab and finally sees the finish line.
Jones said it himself: ‘I’m doing everything. Cleared to do everything.’ He added that now it’s about sharpening his explosiveness and getting stronger, but the hard part is basically behind him. He also admitted he still thinks about the Achilles, and probably will until he takes a live snap. That’s just honest.
This matters because before the injury, Jones was having the best season of his career. In 13 games he threw for 3,101 yards and 19 touchdowns, completed a career-high 68 percent of his passes, and had the Colts looking like a real threat in the AFC. Indianapolis jumped out fast in the first half of the season, and Jones was the engine behind it.
The Colts open Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens. Jones is expected to be ready by training camp, and everything points to him being under center for that game. If something goes sideways, the team would turn to either Anthony Richardson or Riley Leonard. But nobody in the building wants that plan to be necessary.
This isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s a real sign that Indianapolis might pick up where it left off. Jones is 29, in his prime, and coming off a year that looked like a breakout. If he’s the same guy after the Achilles, the Colts could be dangerous.
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