Colts playoff hopes teetering with QB Daniel Jones out for season and backup Riley Leonard also hurt

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts confirmed their worst fear Monday.

Starting quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during another devastating loss at Jacksonville. Then came more bad news. Backup Riley Leonard arrived at the team complex with an injured right knee.

It's a two-punch combination the Colts (8-5) simply cannot afford as their once-promising season teeters, their playoff hopes fade and coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard are likely to start hearing more questions about their future prospects.

Amid all that, their hunt for a new quarterback has them linked to a surprise name — 44-year-old Philip Rivers — who may need a crash course in the Colts' playbook, especially if Leonard can't play Sunday at Seattle (10-3).

“Chris and his staff are working through that right now, so you guys will probably have an update Wednesday when I talk to you guys,” Steichen said. “But we're working through that.”

Leonard, a rookie, did what he could in his first extensive action Sunday, though he didn't exactly look like he could navigate a couple wins out of Indy's final four games. Veteran Brett Rypien joined the practice squad Oct. 15 and still isn't on the active roster, though Steichen said Rypien probably would start if Leonard can't go next weekend.

And the best in-house hope — Anthony Richardson — also may be out. The No. 4 overall draft pick in 2023 still has not practiced since fracturing an orbital bone in mid-October. While Steichen hopes he can return this season, it doesn't appear Richardson will be cleared to practice this week.

Where does that leave Indy now?

“We really can't dwell on it," defensive end Kwity Paye said. “We have second and third stringers and backups for a reason and those guys are going to have to be ready to step up when their number is called. Just fill the position as they can and try to make some plays.”

Perhaps most discouraging is that last month, Indy appeared poised to end its four-year playoff drought. The Colts held a seemingly comfortable lead in the AFC South as they fought for the conference's No. 1 seed. Since then, everything has unraveled.

The Colts have lost three straight and four of five, dropping into a tie for second in the division race, one game behind Jacksonville. They are trying to fight their way out of the No. 8 seed without their starting quarterback and maybe their backup quarterback as they head to Seattle before playing back-to-back home games against San Francisco (9-4) and Jacksonville (9-4) and a regular season-ending trip to Houston (8-5).

How desperate are they? Well, they're bringing in Rivers who hasn't taken a snap since leading the Colts to the playoffs in 2020 and has been a high school coach in Fairhope, Alabama, since retiring in January 2021.

Losing a player who spent the first half of this season in the MVP discussion was emotionally jarring Sunday. The lingering ripple effects could be much more damaging, though, especially if Leonard can't play — and they all know it.

“The offense has to be tailored around the quarterback, for sure, on what he does well, and then you go,” Steichen said.

Blake Grupe. Hey, it's a small victory. Indy's third kicker of the season had a solid start. The New Orleans Saints castoff made both of his field goals attempts and his only extra point attempt.

What doesn't? Jones’ interception on the first pass of the game led to one Jags TD, Jonathan Taylor’s fumble led to another, and without Jones the offense seemed to be stuck in the mud on a rainy day. Defensively, Indy allowed a season-high 36 points.

Leonard. Sure, he made some of the expected mistakes given his lack of experience and, yes, he's hurt. But the plays he made illustrated why Indy made him a sixth-round draft pick in April. No, he's not ready to lead a playoff push, but he appears capable of becoming a reliable backup.

Jones. In addition to missing the final four games, Jones could also miss out on a hefty pay raise. In March, he signed a one-year deal worth $14.5 million including bonuses — a bargain for an NFL starting quarterback — and seemed destined to hit the jackpot this spring. Some thought he could command a multiyear deal worth between $45 million and $50 million per year. But a recovery process that's likely to stretch into September or beyond could lower his price tag.

In addition to Jones and Leonard, RT Braden Smith and backup DE JT Tuimoloau left Sunday's game with concussions, and Smith also hurt his neck. WR Alec Pierce also was evaluated for a concussion at game's end, but Steichen provided no update Monday. Indy's Pro Bowl secondary also took another hit. Sauce Gardner sat out Sunday with a strained calf and Charvarius Ward entered the concussion protocol Monday for the second time since October. The good news: Two-time Pro Bowl DT DeForest Buckner (neck) can be activated from injured reserve this week.

6, 12 — Indy opened the season on a historic scoring and efficiency binge. But during this three-game skid — and against three good defenses — they've scored only six TDs in 12 red-zone trips.

First, Indy must sort out its options at quarterback. Then it can start focusing on what to do next at Seattle.

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Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Daniel Jones (17) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) looks to throw over Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) walks off the field after an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) grabs his leg after an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts are considering going old school with their top two quarterbacks injured.

Just hours after coach Shane Steichen confirmed Monday that Daniel Jones would miss the rest of this season with a torn right Achilles tendon and that backup Riley Leonard injured his right knee in Sunday's loss at Jacksonville, a person with knowledge of the details told The Associated Press that 44-year-old Philip Rivers is heading to Indy for a tryout Tuesday. The person requested anonymity because an official announcement had not been made.

Rivers has not taken a snap since 2020 when he played his final NFL season with the Colts. He led Indy to the playoffs that season and they've returned to the postseason since. Rivers announced his retirement in January 2021 and has spent the past five seasons coaching St. Michael High School in Fairhope, Alabama.

Strangely, Leonard also played high school football in Fairhope.

While it's unclear how much time Rivers would need to learn the playbook or get in game shape, he did work with Steichen when they were both with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers. He also worked with Indiana Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti when they were both at North Carolina State.

It's a desperate move for a team that doesn't have many options after losing three straight games and four of their last five, their playoff hopes rapidly fading away.

Jones was injured in the first half of Sunday's 36-19 loss in rainy Jacksonville. He crumpled to the ground, reaching toward his calf despite not being hit on the play. Jones then slammed his helmet into the ground before limping off the field and into the locker room. He returned to the sideline in the second half with a walking boot protecting his lower right leg.

Following the game, Steichen acknowledged the initial diagnosis was not good and that it could be season-ending. Less than 24 hours later, Steichen gave updates about both injuries.

“He'll have surgery within the week," Steichen said, referring to Jones. “Obviously, just really feel for him, just an unfortunate situation. The work he puts in, the grind, a team captain for us. One of the toughest guys I've ever been around. Just praying for a speedy recovery for him.”

It's a major blow for Jones, who resuscitated his career with an incredibly strong first eight games in his first season with Indy. Jones played so well, his name entered MVP discussion as his price tag in free agency continued to climb.

Losing Jones may prove more problematic for the Colts (8-5), who visit Seattle (10-3) next weekend before closing out the season with home games against San Francisco (9-4) and Jacksonville (9-4) and a visit to Houston (8-5).

Then came the surprise news — Leonard arrived at the team complex Monday with his own injury. He replaced Jones on Sunday, going 18 of 29 for 145 yards and one interception in his most extensive action since Notre Dame lost last year's national championship game. Steichen couldn’t say yet if Leonard would play at Seattle, but the Colts have limited options in the building.

“He came in with a knee (injury) this morning so we’re working through that right now. That's what I've got right now,” Steichen said before addressing Leonard's playing status. “Hopefully, that’s the hope. We'll see how it goes.”

If Leonard can't play, veteran Brett Rypien could be next in line even though he was signed to the practice squad in mid-October but is not yet on the active roster.

Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall draft pick in 2023, lost the quarterback competition to Jones in training camp and has not practiced since going on injured reserve with a fractured orbital bone in mid-October.

“He's not ready yet,” Steichen said when asked about Richardson's potential return.

As for Jones, he was having a career year.

He went 8-5, going 261 of 348 for 3,101 yards, 19 TDs and eight interceptions while rushing for 164 yards and five more scores.

Jones established a new career high in completion percentage, 68.0%, and fell two wins, 105 yards and five TD passes short of posting new career bests in those categories, too. He also made 13 starts, his most since starting 16 games while leading the New York Giants to the 2022 playoffs.

But he played hurt again this year. Jones used an extra pad on his injured lower left leg in his last three starts. The Colts never confirmed reports Jones played with a broken fibula.

Steichen couldn't say whether the injured fibula had any impact on Jones' Achilles tendon.

“I don't know that,” Steichen said. “I think it's just a very, very unfortunate situation.”

Rivers was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection who finished ranks the NFL's career leaders in yards passing with 63,440, 421 touchdown passes and 12 4,000-yard seasons. He made it to the semifinal stage in his first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame last month.

AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi also contributed to this story.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) sacks Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) in the end zone for a safety during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) heads to the end zone for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Daniel Jones (17) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) grabs his leg after an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)