Colts quarterback Daniel Jones has said that his goal is to return for the start of the 2026 season after suffering a torn Achilles in early December.
Indianapolis General Manager Chris Ballard told reporters on Monday that the QB is “progressing really well” as the club gets its offseason program underway.
“He’s throwing, he’s moving. So, he’s in a really good spot,” Ballard said, via the Indianapolis Star. “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]. But, he’s in a really good place and moving along.”
Jones, who suffered the injury in Indianapolis’ Week 14 loss to Jacksonville, signed a two-year deal to return to the Colts in March.
Before his injury, Jones completed 68.0 percent of his throws for 3,101 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed for 164 yards with five TDs.
Wide receiver Alec Pierce signed a four-year extension to stay with the Colts last month, but he won’t be taking part in the team’s offseason program.
Colts General Manager Chris Ballard told reporters at a Monday press conference that Pierce had ankle surgery after dealing with pain throughout the 2025 season. Pierce is on a three-month recovery timetable, so the team is expecting to have him back on the field at training camp this summer.
Ballard said there was conversation about the injury before Pierce signed his new deal and they do not expect there to be any long-term impact on his play.
Quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (neck) are among the other Colts players making their way back to full strength ahead of the 2026 season. The Colts hope to have all three of them in the lineup for Week 1 this fall.
The Colts will not have at least two players around their voluntary offseason work.
According to multiple reporters, General Manager Chris Ballard said during his pre-draft press conference on Monday that both quarterback Anthony Richardson and cornerback Kenny Moore are not going to attend the offseason program, as both players are seeking a trade.
Via Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star, Ballard said Moore felt “it was time for a change” and because of the team’s respect for him, “We said OK.”
Richardson lost the QB competition to Daniel Jones last year. The No. 4 pick of the 2023 draft then was out for most of the season due to an orbital fracture suffered in a freak pregame accident.
With the draft upcoming, Richardson and Moore could find new playing homes as soon as this week.
The NFL has announced the names of the current and former players that will take part in next week’s draft by announcing second-round picks.
The list includes players associated with all 32 teams, including Cardinals running back James Conner. Conner has strong ties to the Pittsburgh area after playing for the Steelers and attending Pitt, which likely made him an easy choice as the Cardinals’ representative.
Former Bears tackle Jimbo Covert, former Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett, former Chiefs defensive lineman Bill Maas, current Vikings tackle Brian O’Neill, former Jets running back Curtis Martin, and former 49ers punter Andy Lee are other Pitt alums who are set to take part.
The hometown team will be represented by four players. Former Steelers Jerome Bettis and John Stallworth will be joined by Joey Porter Sr. and Jr. next Friday.
The other players taking part and their team affiliations appear below:
Falcons: Michael Turner
Ravens: Mark Ingram
Bills: Shane Conlan
Panthers: Jake Delhomme
Bengals: Ken Anderson
Browns: Phil Dawson
Cowboys: Drew Pearson
Broncos: T.J. Ward
Lions: Calvin Johnson
Packers: John Kuhn
Texans: Billy Miller
Colts: Pat McAfee
Jaguars: Paul Posluszny
Raiders: Matt Millen
Chargers: Shawne Merriman
Rams: Tavon Austin
Dolphins: Dwight Stephenson
Patriots: Deion Branch
Saints: Marques Colston
Giants: Osi Umenyiora
Eagles: Brian Westbrook
Seahawks: Cliff Avril
Buccaneers: Ronde Barber
Titans: Jeffery Simmons
Commanders: Mark Rypien
Nasir Adderley is officially back in the league.
After ending his three-year retirement, Adderley has signed with the Colts, the team announced on Tuesday.
Adderley, 28, retired after completing his rookie contract with the Chargers following the 2022 season. He appeared in 50 games with 44 starts for Los Angeles, recording 12 passes defensed, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
A second-round pick in 2019, Adderley was a free agent when he retired, giving him the ability to now sign with any team.
Adderley announced on social media in February that he intended to return to the NFL.
Indianapolis previously added safeties Jonathan Owens and Juanyeh Thomas in free agency this offseason.
