Jones’ friends first helped their 2018 signal-calling teammate by designing a pad to protect Jones’ broken collarbone. They have since formed a company, Protect3D, to provide the same assistance for athletes on a commercial scale.
When Jones injured his leg, he knew exactly where to turn.
“My buddy Kevin actually handed it to me in Kansas City,” Jones said. “He flew (in) and came to the game, I got to see him afterwards.”
At first blush, a broken fibula sounds serious, like it could cost a player a month or more. But with clearance from team doctors to continue playing and the Colts in the playoff race, Jones decided he’d rather manage the pain to stay on the field with his team.
“I’ve been cleared to play and I know it’s safe,” he said. “I feel good, I think I’m getting better every week and continue to be able to do more and more, just be aware of the injury and do everything I can to put the team in a position to win.”
In his last two games — the only ones he’s played since the injury — Jones has seen a dip in production and in key moments, he’s disappeared. Mobility — once one of his strengths — has become a liability, slowing Indianapolis’ offense, and he completed just 51.9 percent of his passes in a close loss to AFC South rival Houston, opening the door for the Texans to potentially return to the race in a tight division.
Armed with a custom pad designed to protect his injured foot, Jones will have to dig deep to help the Colts (8-4) climb out of their two-game losing streak, which begins Sunday at Jacksonville (8-4). The fate of their season could depend on it.