Colts QB Daniel Jones Continues To Impress In Return From Achilles Injury

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — If you didn’t know Daniel Jones was coming off a major injury, there’s nothing that would’ve told you otherwise. That was my big takeaway watching the Colts quarterback at training camp Wednesday, when Indianapolis hosted the first of two joint practices with the Atlanta Falcons. Whether it was dropping back in individual drills or taking snaps under center or in the shotgun in team periods, Jones looked normal. For a quarterback coming off an Achilles tear, the true test of health is scrambling and throwing on the move and evading pressure. Running the ball is a big part of Jones’ game, too. And the 29-year-old checked all those boxes as well. Granted, he didn’t need to move around too much Wednesday against what’s expected to be a bad Falcons pass rush (Jalon Walker is out for the season, and James Pearce Jr. is suspended for the first eight games). Jones looked quite comfortable in the pocket, but he moved around with no issues when he needed to. It confirmed what I’d been hearing around the team about Jones, who’s looking to pick up from what was a spectacular 2025 — for him and the Colts — before his devastating right Achilles tear Dec. 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s been impressive throughout training camp. The Colts had issues on the ground on Wednesday, but Jones and the pass game were on fire against an above-average Falcons secondary in team drills. He was feasting in the intermediate portion of the field, hitting receivers Josh Downs and Ashton Dulin often. “I think with any major rehab process, you’re always kind of progressing and getting back and getting used to doing everything, building up the reps on it, building up just your conditioning level,” Jones explained post-practice. “I feel really good and there’s nothing I don’t feel good doing.” And for 2026, that means building off what the Colts were last season when he was healthy. Through 10 weeks in 2025, Indianapolis’ offense led the league in yards, scoring, EPA per play, success rate and DVOA. The Colts boasted a plus-115 point differential, and had four wins of 21-plus points. “I think the offense is very versatile,” Jones told me. “There’s a lot of different components to it. I think we’re able to run the ball well. I think we’re good in the RPO game. We’re good throwing it quick. We can throw the ball down the field.” Other Notes From Colts-Falcons Joint Practice: Falcons standout receiver Drake London had one of the best plays from Wednesday’s practice. On what was by far quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s longest completion of the day, the fifth-year pro Mossed Colts cornerback Justin Walley down the left sideline in team drills. It was an underthrown ball from Tagovailoa, but London managed to stretch out his arms over Walley’s shoulders for the insane grab. Speaking of insane grabs, Robinson had one too. In the full team period at the end of practice, the superstar running back made a one-handed catch with his left hand in stride. It was a low pass that would’ve been incomplete in most situations, but Robinson made the snag near his ankles. It was all the more impressive considering how easy he made it look. The Falcons are going to need a lot of that from Robinson and Drake London this season, as well as from All-Pro tight end Kyle Pitts. Atlanta’s quarterback play is a major concern. Tagovailoa is currently in the lead in the team’s QB competition by default, due to the fact that Michael Penix Jr. has not yet been cleared for 11-on-11 work after his ACL injury last season. And the former Dolphins starter has been uninspiring through two outings against other teams. He looked uncomfortable in last week’s preseason opener against the Denver Broncos. In Wednesday’s practice against the Colts, he had just one long completion (the aforementioned London play) and threw a pick-six to Walley. He lived off check downs and bubble screens. The more touches the likes of Robinson, London and Pitts can get, the better the outlook for the Falcons’ offense this season. Because Atlanta won’t be winning games on the back of its quarterback play. Newly signed Colts receiver Keenan Allen didn’t practice Wednesday. He spent his first official day with Indianapolis in shorts and a T-shirt, watching the offense intently and chopping it up with new teammates. But the Colts are already envisioning how the 13-year veteran can help. “He’s been productive every single year he’s been in the league,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said. “So obviously, we want him to be productive again this year.” One of the best players in Chargers history, Allen adds much-needed depth to what’s currently a thin wide receiver room for Indianapolis. With Michael Pittman Jr. out of the picture (traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers) and new WR1 Alec Pierce sidelined following offseason ankle injury, Josh Downs had been the team’s only proven, starting-caliber wide receiver. Allen, who has familiarity with Steichen from their time together with the Chargers, figures to be a tremendous boost for the Colts as a possession receiver, despite his age (34). The six-time Pro Bowler had a league-high 29 first down conversions on third down last season. Overall, Allen caught 81 passes for 777 yards and four touchdowns in 2025. “Danny’s [Daniel Jones] is a guy who is getting better every year,” Allen said. “Last year he was on a big roll, and I want to be part of that and help him be the safety blanket that I am.” In the last team period, Falcons backup running back Brian Robinson trucked Colts defensive back Jonathan Owens at the end of a nice run down the left side of the field. It happened right in front of Atlanta’s sideline, so naturally the Falcons were amped. Colts star tight end Tyler Warren, who’s been excellent in training camp, sustained a groin injury early in team drills Wednesday and didn’t rejoin practice. After initially leaving the field with trainers, he returned to the sidelines with a wrap around his right thigh. Steichen had no details on the severity of the injury in the immediate aftermath of practice. Indianapolis cannot afford another significant injury to a pass-catcher. With Pierce already sidelined, Jones’ list of primary targets is shrinking for the time being. It makes the Allen signing all the more timely. Courtesy of Keenan Allen, speaking about Colts coach Steichen: “Genius. He knows what he’s doing and he knows what he’s looking at. He doesn’t just have a coach mindset so to speak. He sees it from a player perspective, from a quarterback perspective.”