With the Colts working out Philip Rivers after the injury to quarterback Daniel Jones, the team made it official on Tuesday that the 44-year-old will come out of retirement, according to Tom Pelissero. As fans wondered what happened in the Colts' workout of Rivers, it apparently went well to the point of signing the former Los Angeles Chargers great.
“The Colts are signing eight-time Pro Bowl QB Philip Rivers, who is coming out of retirement with his old team, sources tell the Insiders,” Pelissero wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Five years after his last game, Rivers — a 44-year-old grandfather — worked out Tuesday. Now, improbably, he’s back.”
Rivers last played with Indianapolis during the 2020 season, which was the last time the team made the playoffs, as now with the Colts at an 8-5 record, he could lead them once again to the postseason.
“The last time the Colts made the playoffs was in 2020 with Philip Rivers as their quarterback,” Schefter wrote on X. “Now, at 44 years old, he returns with the team sitting at 8–5 and just outside the AFC playoff picture, hoping to help get them back to the postseason.”
The veteran quarterback will be signed to the practice squad, via ESPN, as it comes after Jones being out for the season with an Achilles tear and backup Riley Leonard dealing with a knee injury. Anthony Richardson continues to be on injured reserve, making Rivers Indianapolis' last hope to keep the ship afloat and revive its season.
It's a lot to ask of a 44-year-old former signal-caller who has not been in the league for five years, as Indianapolis is at 8-5, the next game for the team is Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, with Rivers waiting to see if his name is called to play.
