NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Philip Rivers stepped away from the NFL after the 2020 season. He appeared in 16 games that year in what, until recently, marked his only season with the Indianapolis Colts.
Five years later, a season-ending injury to Colts starter Daniel Jones prompted Rivers’ former team to call him about the possibility of pausing his retirement. Rivers, 44, was signed to Indy’s practice squad this week.
Until recently, Rivers said he thought his football story was already completely written.
“I wasn’t clinging to any hope of playing again. I kind of thought the ship had sailed,” said Rivers, who played 16 seasons for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Colts in 2020, and again this week.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers on the sideline during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 6, 2020. (Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports)
“But something excited me. It’s one of those deals where a door opens, and you either walk through it and find out if you can do it, or you run away. I know there’s a risk, but the only way to find out is to go for it.”
Rivers added that he was watching the Colts game when Jones fell to the turf. He admitted it occurred to him that he might eventually get a call from Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen.
COLTS’ DANIEL JONES CLICKS HELMET WITH FRUSTRATION WHILE SUFFERING FROM ACHILLES INJURY
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers warms up before playing against the Buffalo Bills in an AFC wild-card game in Buffalo on January 9, 2021. (Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports)
“When this happened, in my mind I was like, ‘What is happening?’ How crazy that would be at the quarterback position, I have to admit I was like, ‘I wonder if Shane’s going to follow,'” Rivers said. “Immediately, the competitor in you gets excited.”
Rivers, an eight-time Pro-Bowler, has long worn No. 17 and will continue to do so in his second stint with the Colts, thanks to Jones.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on November 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
“I saw the injury live. I feel bad for Daniel,” Rivers said. “I texted Daniel to say he was so kind about 17. That was meaningful to me.”
The Colts’ injury crisis has been compounded by uncertainty over the health of quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr.
Richardson, the fourth overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, was placed on injured reserve in October after suffering an orbital fracture during a pregame warmup.
The Colts visit the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday in Week 15.
