Colts enter draft with promising news on QB Daniel Jones and looking to make some deals
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard enjoyed seeing the team's players back in town for Monday's first offseason workout. Quarterback Daniel Jones continued his rehab from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered in December. Recently re-signed receiver Alec Pierce, who also had offseason ankle surgery, and Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who had offseason back surgery, were there, too.
All three players appear to be on schedule with their recovery, Ballard said, though he seemed most impressed by Jones. He didn't rule out the possibility of Jones returning to the field before organized team activities end by mid-June, though he's certainly going to rush a player who recently signed a two-year contract extension worth $88 million. “Daniel is progressing really well.
He’s throwing, moving, he’s in a really good spot,” said Ballard, who's preparing for the NFL draft that begins Thursday. “Final timeline, I don’t know. We’re all shooting for Week 1, for sure, but we’ll kind of let his body dictate that (timeline).
” Only two players were missing, and given that both want to be traded, it was hardly a surprise. Cornerback Kenny Moore II and quarterback Anthony Richardson entered the NFL under vastly different circumstances. Moore was an undrafted free agent from Valdosta State in 2017 who was signed by Indy off the New England Patriots' practice squad.
Richardson was the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft and was projected to be the franchise quarterback. Little has gone according to plan since Richardson won the starting job as a rookie. He was benched briefly during the 2024 season after taking himself out of a game because he said he was tired and lost the starting job to Jones in training camp last season.