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INDIANAPOLIS \u2014 In early December, Daniel Jones\u2019 first season with the Indianapolis Colts ended abruptly when he ruptured his right Achilles tendon in Jacksonville. On Tuesday, about four and a half months removed from surgery, Colts coach Shane Steichen revealed that Jones is already \u201cdropping back\u201d to pass during a \u201cphenomenal rehab\u201d that he compared to the Achilles recovery of another high-level athlete: Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum.<\/p>\n
\u201cTatum\u2019s rolling right now for the Celtics,\u201d Steichen said Tuesday at the Colts\u2019 OTAs. \u201cI had a chance to talk to (Celtics president of basketball operations) Brad Stevens and (the) rehab process that Tatum went through; he was in that building all day, every day, and Daniel\u2019s the same way. Those guys know how to go about their business in the rehab process, and I think Daniel\u2019s doing it the right way. So him dropping back and throwing right now is pretty impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones and Tatum had their right Achilles tendons repaired by renowned surgeon Dr. Martin O\u2019Malley. O\u2019Malley also performed surgery on Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton after he ruptured his right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last June.<\/p>\n
Tatum, a six-time All-Star, tore his right Achilles in the second round of the NBA playoffs last May. Roughly 10 months after undergoing surgery, he returned to the lineup to help the Celtics capture the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Tatum totaled 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in Boston\u2019s Game 1, opening-round victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, firmly re-establishing himself as one of the best players in the NBA.<\/p>\n
Steichen envisions Jones having a similarly triumphant moment this upcoming season, and teammate Riley Leonard believes Jones is well on his way after seeing parts of Jones\u2019 rehab firsthand. The former Duke quarterbacks have developed a tight bond through a shared relentless work ethic that was further strengthened last month when they met for a throwing session at former teammate Philip Rivers\u2019 house in Alabama \u2014 on the morning of Leonard\u2019s wedding.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust wanted to sweat a little bit,\u201d said Leonard, who showed off his wedding band on Tuesday. \u201cSo Daniel and I went over there. Obviously, I was able to throw a little bit more than him, but it was good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones steered the Colts to an 8-2 start last year that placed them atop the AFC standings before he fractured his left fibula and eventually tore his right Achilles tendon. During the first 10 games, Jones erupted for a league-high 2,659 passing yards, while scoring 20 total touchdowns (15 passing and five rushing). The Colts also averaged 3.17 points per drive, the fourth-highest mark for any team during its first 10 games this century.<\/p>\n
Jones has a lengthy injury history and has played only one full season through his first seven, which was when he led the New York Giants to the playoffs in 2022. The Colts, however, still placed the transition tag on Jones to ensure he didn\u2019t bolt in free agency and ultimately retained him on a two-year, $88 million contract.<\/p>\n
Jones will be limited throughout OTAs as Leonard takes most of the first-team reps. The Colts have not put a definitive timeline on when Jones will be fully cleared, but Steichen is confident that his team\u2019s leader is doing everything he can to be ready sooner rather than later. A Week 1 return in September would be about nine months after Jones\u2019 Achilles surgery, one month shorter than Tatum\u2019s recovery timeline.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s doing a hell of a job with his rehab,\u201d Steichen said of Jones. \u201cHe\u2019s been tirelessly working at it. He\u2019s been in here every day (from) 8 to 3 o\u2019clock. I know he\u2019s trying to hit certain landmarks, and he\u2019s on a good path with that.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n