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Daniel Jones Intends to Start the Colts’ Opener ...... Anthony Richardson Not Surprised to Be in Indy
(By James Boyd)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...trade-request/
INDIANAPOLIS — Most of the players had already left the field on Wednesday after the Indianapolis Colts’ second day of OTA's, but there were still a few stragglers, namely Daniel Jones. The team’s starting quarterback stood in the end zone of the Colts’ indoor practice facility before sprinting the full 100 yards to the other side. He did that a few times, flanked by Colts staffers, and for any other player on the team, it likely wouldn’t have been newsworthy.
But for Jones, his wind sprints marked a significant milestone. The last time the media and the public had a chance to watch him run on a football field was on December 7th, when he suffered a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon in Jacksonville. Now, just 171 days later, it was hard to tell he’s still rehabbing from one of the most devastating injuries in sports.
“I’m actually not surprised, just because of the way he works,” coach Shane Steichen said of Jones’ recovery. “When you rehab like he rehabs and put in the work like he does, it’s pretty impressive …... he’s relentless.”
Jones, who celebrated his 29th birthday Wednesday, took the first reps in most of the Colts’ positional drills. He dropped back and threw to wide receivers and tight ends, and even did a few roll-outs and play-action passes, but he did not participate in team drills. Steichen said the Colts will remain cautious with Jones’ rehab while leaving the door open for him to possibly join seven-on-seven drills next week.
Jones said he still has several boxes to check as he regains his full mobility, and he acknowledged he’s keenly aware of his Achilles when he’s on the field. He expects that subconscious reminder to disappear as he inches toward the Colts’ season opener.
When asked Wednesday whether he truly thinks he could be ready by then, Jones said “absolutely”, and doubled down. A return that quick would be roughly 9 months after Jones had surgery, making it one of the most aggressive Achilles rehabs in recent NFL memory.
“I understand the process,” Jones said. “You gotta hit all your marks, and I understand that. I have a lot of trust and faith in the doctors and the trainers we have here, our physical therapy staff. And I have a lot of trust in myself to do the work, and put myself in a position to play. That’s certainly been my goal all along.”
But before Jones reaches his ultimate goal, however, he’ll need to clear several more smaller ones, such as running wind sprints after practice, with the hope of one day soon running away from defenders again.
“I think that you take a lot of that stuff for granted when you’re healthy ...... and then you get hurt or something like that, and you’re not able to do that for a while, you miss being able to do a lot of it,” Jones said. “So I’m grateful to be back, and, like I said, very appreciative and grateful for our trainers, our physical therapy staff, and everybody here who’s helped me along the way. And obviously, there’s still a good ways to go.”
Anthony Richardson Addresses Trade Request
Anthony Richardson requested a trade in February, but Wednesday at OTA's was the first time that he addressed it publicly. The 24-year-old initially stayed away from the team before rejoining it after Indianapolis was unable to strike a deal.
“Is it awkward ???” Richardson said, repeating a question that he was asked. “Nah, I don’t think so. I signed a contract. I was still on this team regardless, before the trade stuff. So I have an obligation to this team to come out here and play, and perform, and be ready to play if they need me.”
Richardson would not disclose why he requested a trade, and repeatedly deferred to his agent, Deiric Jackson. Richardson, the 2023 No. 4 overall pick, has totaled 11 TD Passes and 13 INT's, plus 10 rushing TD's in the NFL. He started just 15 games in his first two seasons because of a myriad of injuries, and being benched in 2024. He lost the starting job to Jones last year.
Colts GM Chris Ballard said shortly after the draft that the team held trade talks about Richardson, but nothing materialized. Richardson added Wednesday that he wasn’t surprised to still be in Indianapolis.
“It’s a crazy league. A lot of crazy things happen,” Richardson said. “People get traded, some people don’t. I didn’t get traded, so that was that.”
Richardson has not rescinded his trade request, Steichen confirmed, but now that he’s back in the fold Steichen said that Richardson will compete with Riley Leonard to be the Colts’ back-up quarterback. Richardson entered last year as the Colts' QB-2, but he suffered an orbital fracture in October that left him with impaired vision in his right eye. When asked Wednesday whether he has regained his full vision, Richardson said “it’s good” and that he’s “adjusted pretty well.”
Richardson took the 1st-string reps during the team periods on Wednesday, but Steichen said that the plan is to alternate between Richardson and Leonard and evenly distribute their reps throughout OTA's. Leonard started last year’s season finale while Jones and Richardson were sidelined. The 2025 6th-round pick threw 2 TD's and 3 INT's as a rookie. He also had two rushing TD's.
“I love Riley, and I love competing,” Richardson said. “Riley is going to push me. I’m going to push Riley. And we're just going to push each other and try to be the best version of ourselves, and may the best man win.”
Richardson’s reps Wednesday were highlighted by two downfield, tight-window throws to tight end Drew Ogletree and wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in 7-on-7 drills. Both players made toe-tapping receptions near the sideline to pick up first downs, and Richardson was clearly pleased with those throws as he pumped his fist.
Steichen commended Richardson for his professionalism, but when pressed about giving a player who requested a trade the chance to be the Colts’ back-up, the coach explained his reasoning.
“Because there’s a potential that he could be here in 2026,” Steichen said. “You never know. We’ll see how this thing plays out ...… But if you’re going to be here, everyone here is going to compete.”
Notable Returns and Absences
Cornerback Justin Walley and safety Hunter Wohler, both of whom suffered season-ending injuries during their rookie seasons last year, participated in OTA's on Wednesday. Wohler is back from a Lisfranc injury that he suffered in the Colts’ 2nd pre-season game against the Green Bay Packers last season. Meanwhile, Walley said that he’s been cleared for 3 weeks after he tore his ACL in a joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens in August.
Walley was poised to be a starter last year until his season was cut short before it could truly begin. This year, he might be in line for an even bigger role now that veteran Kenny Moore II, who was released earlier this month, is no longer on the roster. Walley is the most likely candidate to replace Moore, a 2021 Pro Bowler, in the slot.
“I feel like my football knowledge is high enough where I can play inside and outside,” Walley said. “I have the ability to cover smaller guys and the bigger guys, so that IQ really helps me do both.”
Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce and right tackle Jalen Travis were present on Wednesday, but did not participate in OTA's. Pierce is still recovering from left ankle surgery, and Steichen said that Travis was sidelined because of a back injury.
Running back Jonathan Taylor and cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and Sauce Gardner were among the notable absences from OTA's on Wednesday. Steichen said that all 3 were tending to their families, and that he wasn’t concerned with their non-attendance since practice is voluntary at this time of the year. Steichen expects the trio to rejoin the team for mandatory minicamp in June, if not sooner.
Colts Joint Practices
Steichen announced Wednesday that the Colts will travel to New England for one joint practice with the defending AFC champion Patriots before they face each other in their pre-season opener August 13th. The Colts will then host the Atlanta Falcons for 2 joint practices before they square off on August 22nd in Week 2 of the preseason. The Colts’ joint practices with 2 teams have become a staple during Steichen’s tenure as he enters his fourth year with the franchise.
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