While most 44-year-olds are too busy tending to their aching knees and complaining about hearing “6-7” 6,767 times a day, Philip Rivers is making a comeback with the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts have signed Rivers to their practice squad on Tuesday following the season-ending Achilles injury to Daniel Jones. The move raised not a few eyebrows, especially since Rivers hasn't played in the NFL since leading the Colts to the Wild Card round of the playoffs in 2021.
But apparently, based on a story shared by former NFL star JJ Watt, Rivers is still quite familiar with the system being run by Indianapolis—even though he's employing it in a tournament that's a teeny-weeny bit lower than the NFL.
“Fun fact learned in production meetings: Philip Rivers ran the same offense as the Colts for his son Gunnar’s high school team this season. He and Shane Steichen spoke weekly about it, discussing plays and even film. So familiarity with the scheme should be no problem whatsoever,” revealed Watt on X.
Rivers has coached St. Michael Catholic High School to the No. 1 ranking in Alabama for the first time in school history.
Signs are pointing to the veteran quarterback getting the start for the Colts, who have lost four of their last give games, in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks. Anthony Richardson is still out with an eye injury, while Riley Leonard is bothered by a knee injury.
It will be interesting to see how Rivers will fare if he gets nod, especially now that the game has evolved a lot since his retirement. But if there's anyone who knows how to make an impactful return, it's a former Comeback Player of the Year.
