12/09/25 01:03:00
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12/09 13:01 CST Colts sign 44-year-old Philip Rivers to practice squad with 2
quarterbacks injured, AP source says
Colts sign 44-year-old Philip Rivers to practice squad with 2 quarterbacks
injured, AP source says
By MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) --- The Indianapolis Colts bolstered their injury-depleted
quarterback corps Tuesday by bringing 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of
retirement and signing him to the practice squad, a person with knowledge of
the deal told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team had not
yet made an official announcement.
The move comes less than 24 hours after Colts coach Shane Steichen confirmed
Indy's starter, Daniel Jones, would miss the rest of this season after tearing
his right Achilles tendon and backup Riley Leonard injured his right knee
during Sunday's loss at Jacksonville.
Rivers hasn't taken a snap since finishing his career with a playoff loss
following the Colts 2020 season. That was the last time Indy (8-5) made the
postseason. The eight-time Pro Bowler announced his retirement in January 2021
and has been coaching St. Michael High School in Fairhope, Alabama, ever since.
But it's not clear how long it will take Rivers to learn Indy's playbook --- or
work his way into game shape --- as the reeling Colts try to snap a three-game
losing streak next weekend at Seattle (10-3).
"Things happen, wacky stuff has happened in this league, your depth gets
tested, your resolve gets tested as you get thrown into some adversity as a
unit, as a coaching staff, as a position group," offensive coordinator Jim Bob
Cooter said, declining to take specific questions about Rivers. "We've been
through some fire out there, but our coaching staff's excited to draw a plan up
and teach it."
Neither Steichen nor players were made available because the Colts typically
take Tuesday off.
Rivers rejoins a team desperately trying to rebound from its worst stretch of
the season, four losses in five games. The result: Indy has fallen out of the
race for the AFC's top seed and is tied for second in the AFC South with
Houston (8-5), one game behind division leader Jacksonville (9-4).
Rivers ranked among the NFL's career leaders in yards passing with 63,440, 421
touchdown passes and 12 4,000-yard seasons when he retired and was a
semifinalist in his first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame
last month.
So the question is how much does Rivers have left in the tank?
In his first and only season with Indy, it appeared his arm strength already
was diminished though he masterfully navigated the Colts through a season
unlike any other --- playing in front of empty or sparsely-populated stadiums
because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also unclear is whether the Colts will need him this weekend.
Jones was having a career year and had entered the midseason MVP discussion but
had struggled over the last five games. He also played through a lower left leg
injury that impeded his mobility during each of Indy's last three losses.
Then Sunday, he crumpled to the ground and grabbed toward his lower right leg
on a play he did not take a hit. He slammed his helmet into the ground before
limping off the field. Jones later returned to the rainy sideline in a
protective walking boot.
"He'll have surgery within the week," Steichen said Monday. "Obviously, just
really feel for him, just an unfortunate situation. The work he puts in, the
grind, a team captain for us. One of the toughest guys I've ever been around.
Just praying for a speedy recovery for him."
Leonard did a solid job in relief of Jones, going 18 of 29 for 145 yards and
one interception in his most extensive action since Notre Dame lost last year's
national championship game. When he reported to the team headquarters Monday,
they found out Leonard also had been hurt during the game.
The orbital bone injury to Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 draft pick in 2023,
only compounded the problem. He still has not been activated from injured
reserve to practice and Steichen said Monday he did not expect Richardson's
status to change this week either.
That left the Colts with only one other option --- veteran Brett Rypien, who
has not been elevated from the practice squad to the active roster since he was
signed in mid-October --- if Leonard can't play this weekend.
So they added Rivers, who was with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers when
Steichen was serving as the team's quarterbacks coach and interim offensive
coordinator. Oddly, Leonard played prep ball at a different high school in
Fairhope.
And now all three will be working together to try and help Indy turn things
around as they enter a brutal final four-game stretch to salvage their playoff
hopes.
___
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