![\"Daniel](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2250563352-1.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The Colts are working on a long-term deal with Daniel Jones.<\/p>\n
The Indianapolis Colts<\/a> general manager Chris Ballard in his April 20 press conference offered injury updates on a number of star players and a couple of second-year players who have not yet had their chance in the NFL.<\/p>\n Daniel Jones, who signed a new two-year deal to stay with the Colts this offseason, has been sidelined since December 7 after sustaining an Achilles injury.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s throwing, he\u2019s moving and so he\u2019s in a really good spot,\u201d Ballard said<\/a>. \u201cFinal timeline \u2013 we\u2019re all shooting for Week 1 for sure, but we\u2019ll kind of let his body dictate it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Per GM Chris Ballard, Daniel Jones (achilles) is progressing really well. He\u2019s throwing, he\u2019s moving, and he\u2019s in a really good spot. The #Colts<\/a> don\u2019t want to put a timeline on it and they\u2019ll let his body dictate it, but they\u2019re shooting for Week 1.<\/p>\n 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 and led the Colts to an 8-4 record during his time as starting quarterback that included a 7-1 start to the season. Without Jones the Colts lost the last five games of the season.<\/p>\n As for star defensive tackle, Deforest Buckner, Ballard gave this update, \u201cIt\u2019ll be training camp, but he\u2019s in a really good spot. He\u2019ll start doing some plyometric stuff and movement stuff. So he\u2019s in a really good spot.\u201d<\/p>\n The 32-year old suffered an injury in week 9 and was able to return for one game, returning in week 16. Buckner underwent neck surgery this offseason and is expected to make a full return.<\/p>\n Ballard also gave an encouraging update on kicker Spencer Schrader, \u201cSpencer is coming back from his ACL,\u201d Ballard said, \u201cHe\u2019s already kicking. I know he made a 54-yarder the other day, kicking. I think he\u2019s right at the six-month mark, so he\u2019ll be good.\u201d<\/p>\n Schrader was a perfect 13-for-13 on extra point attempts and 13-for-14 on field goal attempts. According to the Colts Schrader will compete with Grupe for the kicking position in training camp. Grupe made all 21 of his kicks after taking over kicking duties in week 14 of last season.<\/p>\n Expect Second-Year Players to Make an Instant Impact<\/p>\n Cornerback Justin Waller and safety Hunter Wohler both sustained season-ending injuries last August but are expected to make an immediate impact when they return to the field this season, \u201c<\/p>\n \u201cIf they do not get hurt, they play major roles last year. Unequivocally,\u201d Ballard said. The two are progressing nicely in their rehab with Ballard optimistic for their imminent return to the field, \u201cWalley and Hunter, both, are kind of at the end of their rehab, alright, and so they\u2019re doing really well. Expect them for most of OTAs, but they\u2019re progressing really well.\u201d<\/p>\n