The Indianapolis Colts got some news this week that might quietly be the most important thing to happen to their offense all offseason. Daniel Jones, who tore his Achilles late last season, has been cleared to scramble again. And for a guy whose game is built on mobility, that’s a huge deal.
Jones told reporters after practice that the restriction on running is officially gone. He said he was curious whether head coach Shane Steichen would say something to him about a run he made. Steichen didn’t. Jones said that kind of movement is something he’s done a lot in rehab and drill work, but being able to do it in a football setting again felt good.
The timeline here matters. Jones tore his Achilles in Week 14 against the Jaguars. That’s a brutal injury for any player, but especially for a quarterback who relies on escapability. The fact that he’s already cleared to scramble in practice is a strong sign he’s ahead of schedule.
Before the injury, Jones was having a real career resurgence. The Colts started 8-1 in 2025. Jones looked like a different quarterback. His accuracy was sharper. His processing speed was noticeable. He was playing at a level nobody had really seen from him since his Giants days went sideways. But a fractured fibula he played through for weeks eventually gave way to that Achilles tear. His performance dipped as the injury piled up, which is about as predictable as it gets.
The Colts are betting that a full offseason of recovery will get him back to that early-2025 form. They did lose Michael Pittman Jr., which stings. But they still have Jonathan Taylor, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, and rookie tight end Tyler Warren. That’s a solid group to work with if Jones is healthy and moving well.
Nobody’s saying this guarantees anything. Achilles injuries are tricky. But the fact that Jones is already practicing at full strength, scrambling, and looking comfortable? That’s a better update than anyone in Indianapolis probably expected.
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