Colts cornerback awarded AFC Defensive Player of the Week

Jaylon Jones, the Indianapolis Colts’ cornerback, had a career performance against the Chicago Bears.

Jaylon Jones, an Indianapolis Colts cornerback, was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after intercepting two passes against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

🤫 pic.twitter.com/pQFDtrsZso

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 25, 2024

Jones enters his second year in the league with a vengeance after the Colts missed the playoffs by one game last season. The 22-year-old intercepted first-round pick Caleb Williams twice and helped the Colts maintain control of the game several times.

Jaylon Jones WOW. His second INT of the day!

📺: #CHIvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/90nsqD66Pn

— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024

Jones is one of only two players to have two interceptions in the same game this season. He became the 57th Colts player to accomplish this feat, the latest being Kenny Moore II versus the Carolina Panthers (via Amanda Foster | Colts).

After Jones’ disappointing loss to the Green Bay Packers, captain and teammate Zaire Franklin discussed Jones’ mentality and how much the club believes in him following his breakout performance.

I told him, I was just like, ‘Listen, I believe in you. I trust you, and you making (those) type of plays is going to be the difference between who you want to be and who you are in this league.’ So, today he was able to make those types of plays. The double up, that’s special. He’s that type of player. That’s the type of guy he can be. I trust him in that spot at all times.

– Zaire Franklin, Colts LB

Jones made his first career interceptions last weekend. With his confidence restored, Jones will meet rising star Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens next week. Pickens has six receptions for 107 yards in two career games versus the Colts.

If Jones can restrict Pickens, it will appear like Indianapolis has finally found a shutdown cornerback. General manager Chris Ballard often says he likes his players, which might pay off if Jones continues to rise.