Colts Start Daniel Jones in Week 9

Coach Shane Steichen names Jones the starter against the Cowboys after Anthony Richardson replaced him late in the Week 8 loss to Jacksonville.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Football

Colts head coach Shane Steichen has named Daniel Jones the starting quarterback for Week 9 against the Cowboys. The decision follows a 42-7 Week 8 loss to the Jaguars in which Jones threw two interceptions before Anthony Richardson took over late in the game.

Why it matters

Steichen said he believes Jones gives the Colts the best chance to win right now, a decision that keeps Indianapolis's offense in Jones's hands after a difficult outing. The choice also signals that the quarterback competition remains open for the Colts heading into a Week 9 matchup.

Jones has thrown for 1,542 yards with 5 touchdowns and 9 interceptions this season, while the Colts were blown out 42-7 by the Jaguars in Week 8. The source does not detail how Jones's numbers compare with league averages or how Richardson's performance will be weighed.

The players

Shane Steichen

Head coach of the Indianapolis Colts who made the decision to start Daniel Jones in Week 9 after evaluating the team's quarterback room.

Daniel Jones

Colts quarterback who has thrown for 1,542 yards this season and was named the Week 9 starter despite two interceptions in the Week 8 loss to Jacksonville.

Anthony Richardson

Colts quarterback who replaced Daniel Jones late in the Week 8 loss to the Jaguars.

The details

Steichen evaluated the Colts quarterback room before naming Jones the Week 9 starter against the Cowboys. Richardson replaced Jones late in the Week 8 loss to Jacksonville, and the coach's decision returns Jones to the first team for the next game.

Week 8: Colts lost 42-7 to the Jaguars, with Jones throwing two interceptions before Richardson entered late in the game.
Week 9: Jones starts against the Cowboys.

Season Trajectory

The Colts' quarterback decision follows a Week 8 blowout that exposed the offense's turnover problems and forced a mid-game change, and it returns Jones to the starting role as Indianapolis faces the Cowboys in Week 9. The choice keeps the team's season narrative centered on whether Jones or Richardson can stabilize the position over the remaining schedule.

Fantasy managers rostering Daniel Jones will need to account for his 9 interceptions this season when setting lineups for Week 9. Anthony Richardson's role as the backup remains a factor for anyone tracking Colts quarterback usage in standard or dynasty leagues.

The takeaway

The Colts' Week 9 decision shows that Steichen is willing to stick with Jones despite recent turnovers, so the next game against Dallas will test whether the offense can protect the football and remain competitive.