The Indianapolis Colts are grappling with a significant quarterback crisis following a series of unfortunate events. In their recent defeat against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 3, 2023, starting quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in the first quarter. He is expected to undergo surgery later this week, leaving the Colts in a precarious situation as they prepare for upcoming games.
In Jones’s absence, rookie quarterback Riley Leonard took over and was slated to make his first start in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks. However, news has emerged that Leonard is currently dealing with a knee issue. Colts head coach Shane Steichen stated on Monday, “He’s working through a knee issue,” but did not provide specifics regarding the injury or when it occurred. When asked about Leonard’s availability for the game on Sunday, Steichen remained hopeful, saying, “That’s the hope. We’ll see how it goes.”
Leonard, drafted in the sixth round from Notre Dame, has been the backup since Anthony Richardson suffered a facial fracture during pregame warmups in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals. Richardson, who had shown promise earlier in the season, remains on injured reserve and may not return this year.
In his first appearance, Leonard struggled significantly, completing 18 of 29 passes for just 145 yards and throwing one interception during the loss to the Jaguars. With Leonard’s status uncertain, the Colts face a lack of appealing options at quarterback. If Leonard is unable to play, they may turn to veteran quarterback Brett Rypien, who last started for the Los Angeles Rams during the 2023 season. Rypien holds a modest 2-2 record as a starter and has a career passer rating of 59.9, which falls below the league average.
Colts management may explore acquiring a quarterback from another team’s practice squad to bolster their options. One potential candidate is Sam Ehlinger, who previously played for the Colts from 2021 to 2024.
The situation for the Colts has deteriorated rapidly. After a promising start to the season with an 8-2 record, they have now lost three consecutive games and find themselves in third place in the AFC South, trailing the Houston Texans (8-5) and the Jaguars (9-4). With the quarterback dilemma compounding their struggles, the Colts face an uphill battle as they head into the final stretch of the season.
