Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, throughout a recreation in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. When the Arizona Cardinals go to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, it is likely to be thought of a story of two quarterbacks.
Daniel Jones is prospering in his new dwelling and Kyler Murray won’t have the ability to reply the bell, which may make Indianapolis (4-1) an excellent greater favourite than the 7 1/2-point unfold mirrored at mid-week.
Jones is coming off one other environment friendly effort final week in a 40-6 rout of Las Vegas, finishing 20 of 29 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns. By means of 5 video games, Jones’ completion proportion (71.3) and QB ranking (105.1) are profession highs.
It is fairly a turnaround for the 28-year outdated Jones, who flamed out final yr with the New York Giants and wound up 2024 as a backup to Sam Darnold in Minnesota. Jones admits that New York’s fixed shedding methods took a toll on him.
“I do not know if I may say I ever hated the sport,” he mentioned. “However these drives again from the stadium after a loss, caught in site visitors, make you consider a whole lot of issues. The tip in New York was robust and also you undergo rather a lot.”
Jones has led the Colts to 163 factors within the first 5 video games. Solely the 2007 Colts, with stars like Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, have scored extra factors (164) within the first 5 video games of a season in Indianapolis historical past.
The workforce did get dangerous information final week as Spencer Shrader suffered a torn ACL and MCL whereas being roughed after kicking an additional level. Michael Badgley, who hasn’t kicked since final July after tearing a hamstring, received a tryout Tuesday to earn the job.
“I all the time knew I used to be going to get again so I simply saved a optimistic mindset,” Badgley mentioned.
In the meantime, Arizona (2-3) faces the opportunity of being with out Murray. He injured his foot within the third quarter of final week’s 22-21 upset loss at dwelling in opposition to Tennessee and was in a position to end the sport.
However Murray missed apply Wednesday, leaving backup Jacoby Brissett to deal with the reps. Coach Jonathan Gannon mentioned that if Murray was wholesome sufficient to play, he would play. If not, the Cardinals will attempt to snap their three-game skid with Brissett on the controls.
“He is a real professional,” Gannon mentioned of Brissett. “I do know that time period will get thrown round however whenever you’re in his seat, the quarterback place is the toughest in sports activities and to know that you simply’re one play away out of your function altering, you actually do acquired to be on the small print such as you’re the starter.”
If Brissett has to play, he not less than brings in depth expertise to the huddle. The ten-year veteran has began 53 video games, 30 of them with Indianapolis in 4 seasons. He went 11-19 as a Colts starter, throwing for 31 touchdowns in opposition to 13 interceptions.
Murray’s standing is certainly one of many tales round Arizona. Gannon was fined $100,000 by the franchise for punching working again Emari Demercado after he dropped the ball simply outdoors the purpose line, turning a 72-yard landing run right into a touchback that began Tennessee’s comeback from a 21-6 deficit. Gannon apologized to Demercado and the workforce for the incident.
Cardinals defensive lineman Darius Robinson (pectoral), who did not play final week, did not apply Wednesday. Seven starters had been listed on their preliminary damage report.
The Colts in the meantime had six gamers on their preliminary damage report, with three not practising in any respect. Amongst them was starter Kenny Moore II, who sat out with an Achilles damage.
–Subject Stage Media
