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stephen holder
INDIANAPOLIS — philip rivers Adding another chapter to his NFL story.
The longtime star quarterback, who retired after the 2020 season – his 17th in the NFL – is rejoining indianapolis colts Three quarterbacks have been sidelined amid an injury crisis on their practice squad, sources told ESPN.
Rivers worked out for the Colts on Monday evening. The news came a day after Rivers’ 44th birthday, instantly making him the oldest active player in the NFL.
This makes him an option to play in place of the third-string quarterback. riley leonardwho suffered a knee injury during relief Daniel Jones in Sunday’s defeat jacksonville jaguarsJones suffered a torn right Achilles and will undergo season-ending surgery this week, Anthony Richardson Sr.., who began the season as the No. 2 quarterback, has been on injured reserve since October after suffering a serious facial fracture due to an equipment failure involving a stretching band.
It remains to be seen what Rivers’ immediate role will be. Leonard’s status for the Colts’ next game Seattle Seahawks On Sunday, still unclear. According to a source, the team is expecting more clarity on Wednesday.
On Monday, coach Shane Steichen left the door open. When asked if Leonard would play Sunday, he said, “That’s the expectation. We’ll see how it goes.” A source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday night that Leonard has a knee ligament strain and is considered week-to-week.
If Leonard can’t play, Rivers could enter the picture. Still fondly remembered at Colts headquarters after his one season with Indianapolis in 2020, Rivers will be reunited with his close friend Steichen. The two previously spent six seasons together in the Chargers organization, while Steichen was an assistant coach and Rivers was the team’s longtime quarterback.
They keep in regular contact and often discuss football matters on a weekly basis. According to sources, Steichen’s ties to Rivers helped put the arrangement together.
According to sources, Rivers’ workout was impressive. According to a source, he throws the ball well but he needs to improve his conditioning. What impact this will have on his ability to play this week if necessary is unclear.
Rivers is currently a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. According to the Hall of Fame, Rivers signing the Colts’ practice squad has no impact on his eligibility. However, if he signs on the Colts’ active roster, his eligibility clock will be reset, whether or not he takes a snap in a game, and he will not be eligible again until 2031.
Rivers’ 2020 performance for the Colts was impressive. With Rivers under center, the Colts finished 11–5, making the playoffs as the AFC wild card. they lost buffalo bill in the first round game and, several weeks later, Rivers decided to walk away from the NFL.
No Colts team since 2020 has averaged more passing yards per game under Rivers’ control at 253.3. Indianapolis clinched a playoff berth that season by winning four of its last five games. And Rivers played well throughout the season, completing 68% of his pass attempts and throwing 24 touchdown passes.
The mere exploration of Rivers as a possibility shows the lack of options for Indianapolis. The Colts also have a journeyman Brett Rypien on their practice squad, but has not been named to the active roster yet this season.
According to ESPN Research, if Rivers starts a game for the Colts this season, he would become the fifth quarterback in NFL history to start a game at age 44 or older, joining Tom Brady, Vinny Testaverde, Steve DeBerg and Warren Moon.
The Colts remain in the playoff race despite losing four of their last five games. The Colts are one game behind in the AFC wild-card race, but they have a tough remaining list of games: at the Seahawks, whose home field san francisco 49ers And Jaguar, and on houston texans,
