The Indianapolis Colts fear quarterback Daniel Jones tore his right Achilles tendon during Sunday\'s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, league sources told The Athletic. The team will conduct further testing Monday, but the initial diagnosis suggests a potential season-ending injury for the veteran quarterback.
Jones injured his right Achilles in the first quarter while throwing a seven-yard pass to Alec Pierce on third-and-8. He immediately fell to the ground clutching his right leg and was ruled out shortly after being examined in the medical tent.
Shane Steichen confirmed the severity of the situation in his postgame news conference.
\"Could be season-ending,\" Steichen said. \"I don\'t have the full details on it, but we\'ll get more clarity on that. It\'s not looking good.\"
Rookie Riley Leonard replaced Jones and finished 18-of-29 passing for 145 yards with one interception and a rushing touchdown. The sixth-round pick had logged just six snaps and two pass attempts this season before Sunday\'s game.
Leonard assumed the backup role in Week 6 after Anthony Richardson suffered an orbital fracture during a pregame warmup accident. Richardson remains on injured reserve and has not been cleared for football activities, though Steichen said the team is \"hopeful\" he could return this season.
Jones had powered Indianapolis to a 7-1 start after signing a one-year, $14 million deal in free agency. The Athletic\'s Dianna Russini reported that the Colts and Jones\' representatives were set to begin contract extension talks after the season.
The Colts recently traded receiver AD Mitchell and their next two first-round picks to acquire cornerback Sauce Gardner, demonstrating their commitment to contending with Jones at quarterback. Gardner is currently out indefinitely with a left calf injury.
Jones had been playing through a fractured left fibula that the Colts believed would heal during the season. The only other quarterback on Indianapolis\' roster is practice squad player Brett Rypien, who was not elevated for Sunday\'s game.