Stephen HolderNov 30, 2025, 07:09 PM ETCloseStephen 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.Follow on X
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.
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.
“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.
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.”
CloseStephen 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.Follow on X
Jones reportedly has a fibula injury but wouldn’t confirm nor deny that on Sunday.