In a stunning return to professional football, Philip Rivers, the legendary quarterback who hung up his cleats after the 2020 season, has rejoined the Indianapolis Colts as a member of their practice squad. This decision comes as the Colts grapple with a series of injuries that have sidelined three quarterbacks, plunging the team into a dire situation just days after Rivers celebrated his 44th birthday, making him the oldest active player in the NFL.
Rivers completed a workout for the Colts on Monday evening, demonstrating enough potential to warrant this unexpected comeback. The urgency of the Colts’ predicament intensified following a 37-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, during which third-string quarterback Riley Leonard suffered a knee injury. Starter Daniel Jones is also out, facing a season-ending surgery to repair a torn Achilles.
The Colts’ plans for the upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks remain tentative. Coach Shane Steichen acknowledged Leonard’s uncertain status, revealing that he has a strained knee ligament and is considered week-to-week. “That’s the hope. We’ll see how it goes,” Steichen commented, hinting at the possibility of Rivers stepping in if Leonard is unable to play.
Rivers has a history with the Colts, leading the team to an AFC wild-card berth in 2020, completing 68% of his passes and racking up 24 touchdown passes. He left an indelible mark on the franchise, as no Colts squad since that season has averaged more passing yards than the 253.3 yards per game produced with Rivers under center. The Colts finished that season with an impressive 11-5 record, making a playoff appearance before Rivers decided to retire.
This latest development points to the significant challenges the Colts are facing. Currently, they have journeyman quarterback Brett Rypien on the practice squad, but he has yet to be elevated to the active roster this season. The team’s options have become increasingly limited as they aim to maintain playoff contention, sitting one game back in the AFC wild-card race despite losing four of their last five games.
If Rivers were to take the field this season, it would mark a notable milestone, as he would become the fifth quarterback in NFL history to start a game at age 44 or older, joining the ranks of Tom Brady, Vinny Testaverde, Steve DeBerg, and Warren Moon.
As Rivers navigates this unique opportunity, his relationship with Coach Steichen, forged over six seasons with the San Diego Chargers, has been vital in facilitating his return. The two maintain regular communication, frequently discussing football matters.
While Rivers showed promise during his workout, sources noted that he must improve his conditioning to be game-ready. His immediate role within the team remains uncertain, but with the Colts’ recent quarterback injuries, he is now a viable option for the upcoming games against challenging opponents like the Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
As the team hopes for better clarity on Leonard’s recovery by midweek, fans are left pondering whether they will witness the return of a franchise hero to the field, once more donning the Colts’ colors and aiming to lead a struggling team back into playoff contention.
