How the Colts are handling the situation shows they’re in no rush to get their quarterback back on the field, and there’s little reason for them to be.
On 27 May, Jones told reporters that he fully expects to be ready for the season opener, which would be nearly six months after his Achilles injury. He did mention, though, that there’s still progress to be made, particularly in building up speed and strength.
By the time the opener rolls around, it will have been about nine months since surgery—right at the early end of a standard recovery window for this type of injury. For late May, that’s an encouraging sign.
The Colts are managing things carefully, keeping him out of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 work. The focus is clearly on getting him to September fully fit.
Indianapolis have already shown its faith in Jones with a two-year, $88 million deal that could rise to $100 million with incentives. It’s the largest two-year contract in NFL history. There’s no need for him to prove anything by increasing his practice load right now.
Why the Colts are taking their time
Jones was having a solid season before his injury, completing 68% of his passes for 3,101 yards and 19 touchdowns while going 8-5 as a starter. Early in the season, the Colts were moving well, scoring on a league-best 57.6% of their possessions during an 8-2 start.
But things changed quickly after he suffered the Achilles injury in Week 14 against Jacksonville while already playing through a fractured fibula. Indianapolis lost its final seven games and missed out on the playoffs.
That stretch left the Colts holding two beliefs at once: Jones is worth building around, and his health is worth slow-playing.
The Colts start the season against Baltimore on September 13, and what happens now in voluntary workouts is far less important than being ready for that opener. Giving him time to recover now could help him regain full strength and mobility, which are often the last things to return after an Achilles injury.
Jones appears to be following a good recovery plan. Each decision made during the offseason is just one part of a bigger picture for a player coming back from such a serious injury.
