Philip Rivers returns to Colts practice squad amid quarterback crisis

Philip Rivers is abruptly backmost successful the Colts’ playbook, 4 seasons aft helium walked distant from the NFL. The longtime Chargers and Indianapolis backmost is joining the Colts’ signifier squad arsenic the squad tries to past a tally of injuries nether center.

Colts crook backmost to a acquainted face

Rivers, who turned 44 connected Sunday and becomes the league’s oldest progressive player, worked retired for the nine connected Monday evening. His instrumentality comes aft Daniel Jones tore his close Achilles successful Sunday’s nonaccomplishment to the Jaguars and 3rd stringer Riley Leonard wounded his genu successful relief. Anthony Richardson Sr., who opened the twelvemonth arsenic the No. 2, has been connected injured reserve since October with a facial fracture from an instrumentality failure.

The situation has pushed Indianapolis backmost toward the seasoned who led it to an 11–5 play and an AFC chaotic paper berth successful 2020. That twelvemonth helium completed 68% of his passes and threw 24 touchdowns, numbers that stay a precocious for the Colts’ passing game.

Uncertain relation arsenic Leonard’s presumption hangs implicit Seattle trip

Coach Shane Steichen said the squad is inactive waiting to spot however rapidly Leonard’s strained genu ligament heals. Asked whether the young backmost mightiness beryllium disposable successful Seattle, helium replied, “That’s the hope. We’ll spot however it goes.” If Leonard cannot go, Rivers could beryllium elevated from the signifier squad, though helium inactive needs to sharpen his conditioning aft his workout.

Thin options, playoff hopes

The Colts besides person Brett Rypien connected the signifier squad. Rivers is simply a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026, and a promotion to the progressive roster would reset his eligibility timepiece until 2031. If helium does start, helium would go the 5th backmost to commencement an NFL crippled astatine property 44 oregon older. With Indianapolis 1 crippled retired of an AFC chaotic paper spot and facing the Seahawks, 49ers, Jaguars and Texans, the franchise is turning to an aged sanction to support a playoff bid alive.