The Indianapolis Colts suffered a devastating blow to their roster in Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Quarterback Daniel Jones will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his Achilles tendon. What will the Colts do at quarterback? Here are three quarterbacks the Colts could sign to replace Jones.
Daniel Jones Suffers Achilles Tear
per Coach Steichen, QB Daniel Jones is out for the remainder of the season with a torn achilles. pic.twitter.com/6kSN02iqtq
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 8, 2025
Jones’ magical season is now over.
Colts coach Shane Steichen announced that Jones is out for the remainder of the 2025 season with a torn Achilles.
Jones injured his Achilles tendon in the first quarter of Sunday’s 36-19 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Rookie Riley Leonard replaced Jones and finished the game.
Steichen said Jones is scheduled to have surgery next week.
After being released by the New York Giants last season, Jones signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts this past offseason to compete with Anthony Richardson for the starting job.
Jones won the starting job and helped propel the Colts to an 8-2 start. However, the Colts have lost their last three games, falling to 8-5 and out of the AFC’s top seven.
Jones exceeded expectations this season, completing 261 of 384 passes for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 13 starts. Jones also rushed for 164 yards and five touchdowns.
The Colts now turn to Leonard to start at quarterback. However, Leonard is currently working through a right knee injury, jeopardizing his status for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Anthony Richardson remains on injured reserve and will not be activated this week.
If Leonard can’t play, Brett Rypien would be in line to start. Tight end Tyler Warren is the Colts’ emergency quarterback for now.
3 Quarterbacks the Colts Could Sign to Replace Daniel Jones
#Colts quarterback Riley Leonard on Daniel Jones:
"Daniel's the toughest guy that I've ever been around, by far."
Leonard also shared how Jones was helping him on the sidelines after Jones got injured. pic.twitter.com/K78rQYx4WL
— WISH-TV News (@WISHNews8) December 7, 2025
Regardless of Leonard’s health, the Colts will likely make a move to sign a veteran quarterback once they formally place Jones on injured reserve, opening up a roster spot.
Sam Ehlinger is a name to watch as a potential replacement for Jones. Ehlinger spent the first four seasons of his career with the Colts, so he is familiar with Steichen’s offense and terminology.
Ehlinger is currently on the Denver Broncos practice squad.
Taylor Heinicke is an experienced backup who could provide a spark to the Colts’ offense. The free-agent quarterback has thrown for 6,663 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions in his career. Heinicke is 13-15-1 as a starter.
Could Russell Wilson become the starter of the New York Giants? This requires some good faith on the part of the New York Giants. Last season, the Giants released Jones toward the end of the season, freeing him up to sign with the Minnesota Vikings.
With Jaxson Dart as the starter and Jameis Winston as the backup, Wilson is not seeing the field the rest of the way for the Giants. If Wilson asked the Giants for his release, the team could grant it, freeing the former Super Bowl champion up to sign with the Colts.
