Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is targeting Week 1 for his return and taking most of his rehab from a ruptured Achilles in stride this offseason.
Nearly six months removed from season-ending surgery in November, Jones ran through individual drills and threw passes during the start of voluntary team activities in Indianapolis. He confirmed he expects to be the starting quarterback when the regular season begins at home against the Ravens in September and plans to fully participate in training camp.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Definitely still work to be done and progress to be made. So, I think it’s just continuing to get stronger, continuing to run faster, cut harder. And progress kind of, according to the program.”
Head coach Shane Steichen kept the door open for Anthony Richardson, who has requested a trade since the Colts decided to renew their commitment to Jones. Steichen said Richardson hasn’t changed his position on wanting a fresh start, but the coaching staff opted to let him get work with the offense on Wednesday because “there’s the potential he could” be with the Colts next season.
Jones was projected to be mostly an observer in the early portion of OTAs but Steichen expected him to work his way into the mix, too.
“I’m actually not surprised, just because of the way he works,” Steichen said.
Jones had a hot start to the season and the Colts were 8-2 and in competition for the No. 1 seed in the AFC before injuries, a common setback during his time with the New York Giants, struck again.
The Colts were determined to run it back with Jones, signing him to a two-year, $88 million deal to keep him from leaving the franchise searching for yet another starting quarterback.
Riley Leonard is back with the Colts, who signed Philip Rivers out of retirement to start last December with Jones hurt, Richardson (eye) not fully healthy and Leonard fighting a minor knee injury he suffered in relief of Jones at Jacksonville.
The only other quarterback on the roster entering training camp is former Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan. He was signed to the Colts’ practice squad on Christmas Day last season to provide depth.
