The Indianapolis Colts’ 2025 season drastically shifted during Sunday’s 36-19 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, as quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles that will sideline him for the remainder of the year. Now 8-5 and without their starting quarterback, it’s no longer a given the Colts make the postseason. Jones’ replacement, the rookie Riley Leonard, isn’t 100% healthy either.
According to ESPN, Leonard is dealing with a strained knee ligament that has him “week to week.” The Colts are uncertain if he will be able to start on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Coach Shane Steichen told reporters Monday that Leonard is dealing with a right knee injury, but that he will “hopefully” be available for Week 15. How Leonard fares in practice this week should determine whether he makes his first career start.
With Anthony Richardson still on injured reserve after fracturing his orbital bone, and Leonard nursing a banged-up knee, the only other quarterback the Colts have is Brett Rypien, who is on the practice squad. It’s a reason why the Colts are bringing in 44-year-old Philip Rivers for a workout. Rivers was the last quarterback to lead the Colts to the playoffs, as he went 11-5 in his one season with Indy back in 2020.
As for Leonard, he completed 18 of 29 passes for 145 yards and one interception in his first extensive NFL action on Sunday, and also rushed for a touchdown. The sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame led the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff National Championship game last year, where they fell to the Ohio State Buckeyes. In 16 games played, he completed 66.7% of his passes for 2,861 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Leonard also racked up 906 yards and a whopping 17 touchdowns on the ground.
The Colts have one of the toughest remaining schedules in the NFL. After playing in Seattle, they host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16 and the Jaguars in Week 17, before finishing the season in Houston against the Texans. According to SportsLine, the Colts have a 6.7% chance to win the division, and 45.7% chance to make the playoffs.
