The Indianapolis Colts were dealt a devastating blow in Week 14, losing Daniel Jones to a torn Achilles. The catastrophic injury news threatened Indianapolis’ season. After a promising 8-2 start, the Colts have lost three straight games to fall to 8-5. The Jacksonville Jaguars surpassed Indy for first place in the AFC South with last Sunday’s 36-19 win.
Then Philip Rivers volunteered to come off the couch and play professional football again. The eight-time Pro Bowler retired following the 2020 season and hasn’t suited up in five years. Nonetheless, the Colts officially signed Rivers on Tuesday.
Fans were stunned by the 44-year-old quarterback’s return to the NFL. But no one was more shocked than current Colts’ backup Riley Leonard. “It’s as crazy to me as it is to anybody. But, yeah, it’s cool,” Leonard said of Rivers’ un-retirement, per The Athletic’s James Boyd.
Colts yet to announce QB1 for Week 15
“I knew he still got it, but it was never past that like, ‘Could he come back and play?’ or anything,” Leonard added. Then, before he knew it, Rivers was practicing with the Colts.
The sixth-round rookie got his first real NFL game action in Week 14 when filling in for Jones. Leonard went 18/29 for 145 scoreless yards and an interception. He did, however, add a rushing touchdown in the Colts’ blowout loss.
The team’s situation appeared especially dire when Leonard picked up a knee injury. Indianapolis was suddenly extremely thin at quarterback. That's when Rivers stepped in. However, Leonard practiced in full on Wednesday and, presumably, is healthy enough to play against the Seattle Seahawks in a must-win game Sunday.
While it seemed impossible that Rivers could be ready to go on such short notice, Shane Steichen has been cryptic about who will start.
When asked if he thought he would play in Week 15, Leonard shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m just here to play my best. Be my best at practice today.”
Rivers, who is 21 years older than the rookie passer, spent his final NFL season with the Colts. Prior to that, he and Steichen were together with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2019.
