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Stephen HolderNov 30, 2025, 07:09 PM ET
- Stephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and NFL at large. Stephen finished first place in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition, and he is a previous top-10 winner in explanatory journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest. He has chronicled the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2013 and the Colts since 2013. He has previously worked for the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, battling a fibula injury that has limited his mobility, faced an unfortunate matchup Sunday: The Houston Texans and their ferocious pass rush.
That left Jones to navigate a tricky situation as he tried to fend off numerous rushers without escaping the pocket in a game the Colts lost 20-16. He made the best of things, completing 14 of 27 pass attempts for 201 yards. Jones also connected for two touchdown passes, including an impressive 19-yard strike to receiver Alec Pierce against two defenders.
But for Jones, who is expected to be dealing with the injury for the foreseeable future, it wasn't easy and it wasn't enough. The Colts' point total was a season low, and their 281 total yards was their second lowest of the season (second only to last week's 255 in a game Jones also played hurt).
The Texans pressured Jones on 64% of his dropbacks, and his effectiveness dropped significantly when under duress. Jones completed 2 of 11 passes when under pressure. And his 1.3 yards per attempt on those plays was the second lowest of his career, according to ESPN Research.
Jones reportedly has a fibula injury but wouldn't confirm nor deny that on Sunday.
"I feel good enough to play," he said. "Doctors cleared me to play, so that's what I'm going to do."
The Texans continued a recent trend of Colts opponents sending extra rushers and blitzing Jones, an area where he exceled earlier in the season when the Colts established themselves as the most explosive offense in the league. This highlighted the limitations of his injury, which are most obvious when it comes to Jones' reluctance to leave the pocket.
He had just one pass attempt outside the pocket Sunday, according to ESPN Research. Jones also never scrambled despite the constant pass rush, suggesting an inability to escape related to his injury.
But given Anthony Richardson Sr.'s earlier facial fracture (he remains on injured reserve) and the inexperience of rookie backup Riley Leonard, the Colts have given no consideration to a quarterback change.
"We knew that he's tough and [about] the decision to keep playing," receiver Michael Pittman Jr. said of Jones. "So, we've just got to keep going."
Jones will have to dig deep because the stakes are high. After losing three of their past four games and falling into a tie with Jacksonville for the AFC South lead, the Colts find themselves in an urgent situation. They were 7-1 just a month ago and now are in a fight down the stretch.
"I definitely expect a high sense of urgency and guys being ready, eager to correct what we need to correct," Jones said. "No one's losing confidence ... but we know what we have to do."
