Is Daniel Jones playing Sunday? Latest news, updates on Colts QB’s status for Week 13 vs. Texans originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Indianapolis Colts are scheduled to take on the Houston Texans in Week 13. The game is important for AFC South standings and potential tiebreakers, and the Colts may have to play it without their starting quarterback.
Daniel Jones has been dealing with a lower-body injury for over a week. On Nov. 27, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the injury is actually a small fracture in Jones’ fibula that he is trying to play through. Jones suffered the injury in the Week 12 loss to the Chiefs, and it has been reported that he is doing his best to manage it ahead of the game against the Texans.
Here are the latest updates on whether or not Jones is playing for the Colts against in Week 13.
MORE WEEK 13 NFL:
Is Daniel Jones playing Sunday?
Jones will get his official game status on Friday. For now, Jones was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday by the official Colts website.
What happened to Daniel Jones?
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Jones suffered a fibula fracture ahead of Week 12 and has been dealing with it for a week. The quarterback was playing through the injury when the Colts lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 23-20 in overtime last Sunday.
From @NFLGameDay Morning: #Colts QB Daniel Jones is trying to play through a fibula fracture, though he looked good in practice today. pic.twitter.com/tppdd15Sb8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 27, 2025
The Colts have not confirmed the injury diagnosis, per ESPN’s Stephen Holder.
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What is a fibula fracture?
A fibula fracture is a break in the smaller of the two bones in the lower leg. The lower leg is made up of your fibula and your tibia. The fibula is located outside of the shin. Fractures here tend to come from falls or repetitive stress, like maybe planting on it. It is common for a small fibula fracture to also accompany an ankle injury. There are varying levels of fractures, but if it is a small fracture there is a good chance that Jones can continue playing through it and just rely on pain management until the end of the season.
Who is Daniel Jones’ backup?
Jones’ is Riley Leonard. His backup at the beginning of the season was Anthony Richardson, but the dual-threat quarterback is sidelined for the remainder of the year with an orbital fracture.
Leonard began his collegiate career at Duke and then transferred to Notre Dame for his final year. After leaving the Fighting Irish, Leonard was a sixth-round draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Leonard has seen limited action as a rookie, only attempting two passes in a blowout win over the Tennessee Titans.
Colts QB depth chart
| Position | Player Name |
| 1 | Daniel Jones |
| 2 | Riley Leonard |
| 3 | Brett Rypien — practice squad |
| 4 | Anthony Richardson — IR |
If Jones is healthy enough to play, he will. Despite reports saying that he had to earn his starting job in the preseason over Richardson, Jones has led the Colts to an 8-3 record. Indianapolis is firmly atop the AFC South and needs a strong finish to make the playoffs.
If Jones can’t play, the Colts will have to decide between going with the rookie Leonard or the veteran Rypien, who is currently on the practice squad. Leonard figures to be the next man up, in which Indianapolis would likely go for more of a run-heavy offense.
