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The Indianapolis Colts, desperate at quarterback after injuries to Daniel Jones and backup Riley Leonard, are tapping a retiree to potentially lead the way in a playoff run.
Philip Rivers, the former Los Angeles Colts and Chargers quarterback who turned 44 on Monday, will be welcomed to Indianapolis on Tuesday for a visit, according to multiple reports.
Rivers is reportedly being considered for a position on the practice squad, NFL Network reported, as rookie Leonard, who took over for Jones after suffering an Achilles injury on Sunday, is considered the team’s starter moving forward.
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Philip Rivers of the Los Angeles Chargers in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 2, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
However, Leonard is reportedly dealing with a knee injury that could leave Brett Rypien as the team’s only healthy option heading into Week 15 against a tough Seattle Seahawks team on the road. Leonard is being examined week to week, according to reports.
ESPN added that while the Colts will evaluate whether Rivers is healthy enough to play in the league, he is still determining whether he wants to make a return to the NFL. But he’s clearly thinking about it with a trip to Indianapolis.
COLTS’ DANIEL JONES CLICKS HELMET WITH FRUSTRATION WHILE SUFFERING FROM ACHILLES INJURY
Rivers last appeared in the NFL in 2020 when he started 16 games for the Colts. He was 39 years old at the time and was certainly a useful option at the position after passing for 4,169 yards with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Indianapolis went 11-5 that season before losing to the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs.
Rivers ended up announcing his retirement after that loss to the Bills, although he remained in the rumor mill as someone who could return. He was primed to be the New Orleans Saints’ quarterback in 2021, and the San Francisco 49ers admitted he was their pick if they advanced to Super Bowl LVII when Brock Purdy and Josh Johnson were both injured in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, file)
But Rivers remained at Alabama, where he coached high school football in recent years. The Colts clearly came calling, though, after a disastrous Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
During the first quarter, Jones, who was playing with a broken fibula, suffered a season-ending Achilles injury and was visibly frustrated when he slammed his helmet against the turf.
The Colts have now fallen into the bubble group of AFC teams hoping to make the playoffs after losing three straight games since their bye week ended.
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Rivers, who recently became a grandfather, has totaled 63,440 passing yards and 421 touchdowns with a 64.9% completion rate in 244 career NFL games. He also has a 5-7 record in the playoffs.
