Jones and Pierce Both Available. The Colts' Offense Has Its Foundation Back.

Daniel Jones was activated to full status on August 1, completing a camp arc that started with real uncertainty around his torn Achilles. A few days ago I noted his return to 11-on-11 drills as the news the Colts needed — the activation makes it official. He threw for 3,101 yards and 19 touchdowns in 13 games last season, and a second year in this offense, healthy, matters more than any single camp rep.

Pierce is the other piece. He spent the early camp window on the PUP list following ankle surgery, but GM Chris Ballard offered an encouraging update on July 29 — sooner rather than later was the framing. Pierce topped 1,000 receiving yards last season in 15 games, and the Colts' passing game looks meaningfully different with him on the field versus without him.

Put them together and the offensive core Indianapolis leaned on in 2025 is intact heading into the season. Jones, Pierce, Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs — that group gives the Colts a legitimate argument that the offense was not the problem last year. The 2-6 road record and the 3-6 mark in one-score games were execution failures, not talent failures, and having the full complement of skill players available from the start of camp at least removes one variable.

The cornerback situation remains what it is — Ward is now listed active, which is an improvement over questionable, but the depth behind him is still thin. That hasn't changed. For today, though, the Colts got the injury news they needed on the side of the ball that gives them the best chance to win games.