The Indianapolis Colts' playoff aspirations are hanging by a thread despite an 8-5 record. Starting quarterback Daniel Jones tore his Achilles tendon in the midst of a career renaissance. Backup quarterback Riley Leonard suffered a knee injury after relieving Jones last week vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars, leaving the Colts without a viable signal-caller. Instead of calling it quits, Indianapolis revealed one final trick up its sleeve by signing 44-year-old Philip Rivers. The transaction was shocking to say the least, and to accommodate the 17-year veteran, the Colts made a plethora of roster moves ahead of a pivotal Week 15 matchup vs. the Seattle Seahawks.
On Saturday, Indianapolis officially announced the signing of Rivers to the active roster, according to Mike Chappell of Fox59. The team also placed right tackle Braden Smith on injured reserve and elevated wide receiver Coleman Owen and defensive tackle Chris Wormley from the practice squad.
While the Rivers signing was expected, Smith's placement on injured reserve is a big blow to the Colts offense, especially with Rivers lack of mobility plaguing the pocket.
Smith has been a mainstay in the Colts' lineup since being drafted in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. In 13 games, Smith posted a well-above-average 71.9 pass-blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus. With 107 career starts and another successful season under his belt, Smith's presence will be missed against a Seahawks defense with the fifth-most sacks this season.
Owen will be making his NFL debut vs. Seattle, while Wormley will get his third and final practice squad elevation this season.






![Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) gets up off the turf after being injured in a play in the first quarter during an NFL football game at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]before an NFL football game at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Daniel-Jones_17d24e.jpg?w=200&quality=90)










