The Indianapolis Colts were blown out by the Jacksonville Jaguars, 36-19, but they lost quarterback Daniel Jones to an Achilles injury in the first quarter.
The Indianapolis Colts were walloped by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, 36-19, but it felt like much more than just one loss.
Near the end of the first quarter, quarterback Daniel Jones fell to the ground with a non-contact injury to his lower right leg. He took his helmet off and slammed it in frustration as he sat on the ground. He ultimately went with trainers to the locker room, where he was quickly ruled out with an Achilles injury. The fear is that it's a torn Achilles, which would end his season.
Here is how an overall disastrous Sunday went for the Colts.
FIRST QUARTER
The Colts' defense forced a quick drive out of Jacksonville after just four plays. However, the Colts' offense gave the ball right back. Jones looked to the shallow left and didn't appear to see Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd in time, as Lloyd reached back and grabbed an interception.
With a short field to work with, it took the Jaguars four plays to go 21 yards and get a three-yard touchdown from running back Travis Etienne to go up 7-0 with 10:30 remaining in the first quarter.
The Colts offense locked in and shook off Jones' interception, going 76 yards in 11 plays, as Jonathan Taylor punched the ball into the end zone from a yard out to tie the game at 7 with 4:32 left in the first quarter.
The Jags stayed aggressive and successful, turning their ensuing drive into another touchdown. After another short, five-play series, quarterback Trevor Lawrence found wide receiver Jakobi Meyers on a beautiful play design for a 14-yard touchdown. The throw put Jacksonville ahead, 14-7, with 2:27 remaining in the quarter.
The following drive is when disaster struck the Colts. Three plays in, Jones dropped back and began hobbling before lobbing the ball to his right side for a seven-yard completion to Alec Pierce. Jones sat on the ground and removed his helmet, pounding it on the ground as trainers checked on him. He then went to the blue medical tent on the sideline briefly before going to the locker room. He was quickly ruled out with an Achilles injury. Jones was replaced in the lineup by Leonard.
SECOND QUARTER
The Colts' defense forced a three-and-out on the next drive, but the Colts' offense would suffer another setback. While reaching the ball for extra yardage, Taylor fumbled the ball, which was hit by a defender, and was recovered by Jacksonville. They scored on their next play as Etienne scooted down the right sideline for a 28-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 21-7.
On their following drive, the Colts' offense calmed the storm a bit by stringing together a methodical, 16-play drive. However, they had to settle for a 28-yard field goal from newcomer Blake Grupe, who joined the Colts this week. That cut the lead to 21-10, with 4:54 remaining in the half.
Jaguars rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten fumbled on the Jags' next drive, which was recovered by Colts linebacker Germaine Pratt.
The Colts' offense went four-and-out on the next drive, turning the ball over on downs.
Jacksonville's offense put a button on the end of the half by stringing together a 12-play scoring drive that culminated in a seven-yard touchdown from Lawrence to Tim Patrick to build a 28-10 lead.
THIRD QUARTER
The Colts took the opening drive of the second half, and Leonard was able to orchestrate another field goal drive, as Grupe knocked it in from 36 yards to cut the lead to 28-13. A very questionable offensive pass interference call against Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. wiped out a 16-yard touchdown before the field goal.
The Jaguars and Colts traded three-and-outs after the field goal.
FOURTH QUARTER
The Jaguars began further pouring it on at this point, notching a 35-yard field goal to extend the lead to 31-13 before intercepting the Colts early in the next drive. On the turnover, Pittman and Jaguars cornerback Greg Newsome came down with the ball simultaneously, which is supposed to go to the offensive player. The officials ruled in favor of Jacksonville. It was the second time on the day that NFL rules expert Gene Steratore chimed in on the broadcast and disagreed with the officials.
The Jags' next drive stalled out after 10 plays, as they turned the ball over on downs.
The Colts' ensuing drive lasted exactly one play, Leonard was sacked in his own end zone for a safety, which made the score 33-13 and awarded the ball back to Jacksonville.
The Colts attempted some variation of an onside kick on the punt-kickoff, but the kick was recovered by Jacksonville.
After four plays, Jacksonville kicker Cam Little added another field goal from 48 yards to extend the lead to 36-13 with 4:41 remaining in the game.
With their final drive of the game, the Colts got just their second touchdown. Leonard scampered in from six yards out. The two-point attempt fell incomplete, making the score 36-19 with 1:51 remaining.
The Jaguars ran out the remainder of the clock.
Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.
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