Latest Daniel Jones injury update may help Jets improve NFL Draft position

When the Indianapolis Colts acquired All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner from the NY Jets at the NFL trade deadline, they were making a move that could establish them as one of the best teams in the NFL.

After just a few weeks, not only has Gardner unfortunately gone down with a leg injury, but quarterback Daniel Jones suffered an injury that changes the entire complexion of the AFC.

Jones has been playing through a fracture in his left leg that would sideline most quarterbacks for weeks. In his Week 14 matchup against the rival Jacksonville Jaguars with playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Jones' latest injury could be a knockout blow for Indianapolis.

Jones left the game against Jacksonville with what appeared to be a non-contact injury on his right leg. Jones was instantly ruled out with an Achilles injury, which throws Indianapolis' plans for the immediate and long-term future into complete disarray.

With former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson nursing his own injury, sixth-round rookie Riley Leonard will need to step in and try to lead the Indianapolis offense. As terrible as this is for Jones and the Colts, the Jets may indirectly benefit due to the Gardner trade.

Jets may indirectly benefit from Daniel Jones injury in Colts game

All four teams remaining on Indianapolis' schedule are above .500, including two more duels against division rivals in the Jaguars and Houston Texans. With every loss getting them closer to missing out on a playoff appearance, the Jets' pick gets better.

If Jones indeed ruptured his Achilles, the expected nine-month recovery time means he is likely going to miss some games at the start of the 2026 season. If Indianapolis starts the year off poorly without Jones, they could dig themselves into a hole that is too deep to jump out of.

In addition to two first-round picks that will give the Jets tons of ammunition to land some franchise-changing players, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell appears to have put enough solid production on tape to warrant a fairly significant role with the starting offense in 2026.

While Jones' brilliant comeback getting curtailed in such a stunning way is an absolute gut punch for Colts fans and Jets fans who wanted to see Gardner compete for a championship with his new team, it may help the Jets get a premium pick they can use to rebuild this roster in Darren Mougey's image.