The Indianapolis Colts have signed 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers to their practice squad following Daniel Jones' season-ending Achilles tear in Week 14. Rivers, who last played for the Colts in 2020, returns to the NFL after a five-year retirement to help stabilize the quarterback position amid injuries. With Riley Leonard nursing a knee injury, Rivers could see action as the 8-5 Colts fight for a playoff spot.
The Indianapolis Colts' quarterback situation took a dramatic turn after their 36-19 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14. Starting quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the game, confirmed by MRI on Monday, ending his season. Jones had been playing through a fractured fibula but limped off in visible pain, leaving the team scrambling for options.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced that rookie Riley Leonard, who relieved Jones and threw for 145 yards with one interception, sustained a knee injury in the process. Leonard's status for Sunday's matchup against the Seattle Seahawks remains uncertain. Star quarterback Anthony Richardson, the 2023 first-round pick, has been sidelined since Week 6 with a fractured orbital bone.
In response, the Colts worked out and signed Philip Rivers to the practice squad on Tuesday. At 44 years old—turning that age on Monday—Rivers brings veteran experience from his 17-year NFL career, including a 2020 stint with Indianapolis where he led them to an 11-5 record and playoff berth, throwing for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Rivers, who retired after that season, has since coached high school football at St. Michael Catholic in Alabama, compiling a 44-16 record and guiding his son Gunner, a top 2027 quarterback prospect.
This signing complicates Rivers' path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where he was a semifinalist for 2026 induction. Joining the active roster would reset his five-year eligibility clock. Rivers ranks seventh all-time in passing yards (63,440) and sixth in touchdown passes (421), with eight Pro Bowl selections.
The 8-5 Colts remain in the AFC playoff hunt but face a tough road ahead, including games against Seattle, San Francisco, and Jacksonville. Rivers' return adds a layer of intrigue to their push for the postseason.
