Insiders sound alarms about Colts' Daniel Jones amid injury worries

Some previously viewed Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones as a legitimate candidate for the 2025 Most Valuable Player Award after he guided the Colts to seven wins over the season's first eight weeks. 

The Colts have since lost three of four games to fall to 8-4, and it's now known that Jones is playing with a reported fracture in his fibula. For an article published on Wednesday, ESPN NFL insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano shared some worrisome information about Jones' performances over the past month.

Opposing coaches can see Daniel Jones isn't healthy

"He's clearly not 100 percent, and coaches I've talked to who have either prepared for the Colts or watched them closely say that his mobility appears compromised," Fowler wrote about Jones. "It's also, based on my understanding after asking around, an injury that he can play through. In other words, I'm not so sure a few weeks of rest will make the issue better. And Jones is very tough and willing to push through. But the Colts are on the ropes and will need him at his best. Their scoring output has dipped 12 points per game since Week 9."

According to Pro Football Reference, Jones was responsible for four interceptions and seven fumbles (three lost) from Week 9 through Week 13. In Indianapolis' 20-16 loss to the Houston Texans this past Sunday, he completed 14-of-27 pass attempts for 201 yards and two touchdowns. That said, ESPN's Stephen Holder mentioned that Jones connected on only 2-of-11 passes when under pressure against Houston. 

How Daniel Jones' injury is impacting the Colts' offense

"I spoke with some folks in Houston after the Texans-Colts game Sunday, and they said they felt as if Jones really couldn't move at all," Graziano added. "He was able to hit some shots downfield when the pocket held up, but the mobility part of his game is missing, which makes the offense seem more limited." 

The Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars are tied atop the AFC South standings at 8-4. Those two teams will meet at Jacksonville's EverBank Stadium on Sunday, and DraftKings Sportsbook had the Colts as 1.5-point favorites for that matchup as of Wednesday.

Indianapolis will host Jacksonville in Week 17.