Sources: QB Rivers unretiring to sign with Colts

INDIANAPOLIS — Philip Rivers is adding one more chapter to his NFL story.

The longtime star quarterback, who retired after the 2020 season — his 17th in the NFL — is rejoining the Indianapolis Colts on their practice squad, sources told ESPN, amid an injury crisis that has left them with three sidelined quarterbacks.

Rivers worked out for the Colts on Monday evening. The news comes one day after Rivers’ 44th birthday, instantly making him the oldest active player in the NFL.

That positions him to be an option to play in place of third-string quarterback Riley Leonard, who sustained a knee injury while relieving Daniel Jones in Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones sustained a right Achilles tear 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 in an equipment failure involving stretching bands.

It remains to be seen what Rivers’ immediate role will be. Leonard’s status for the Colts’ next game, at the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, is still unclear. The team is hoping for more clarity Wednesday, according to a source.

On Monday, coach Shane Steichen left the door open. When asked whether Leonard would play Sunday, he said, “That’s the hope. We’ll see how it goes.” A source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday night that Leonard had a strained knee ligament and was considered week-to-week.

If Leonard can’t play, Rivers might enter the picture. Still remembered fondly at Colts headquarters following 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 remain in regular contact and often discuss football matters on a weekly basis. Steichen’s relationship with Rivers helped this arrangement come together, according to sources.

According to sources, Rivers’ workout was impressive. He threw the ball well but needs to improve his conditioning, according to a source. How that impacts 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. Per the Hall of Fame, Rivers signing to the Colts’ practice squad has no effect on his eligibility. However, if he signs to the Colts’ active roster, his eligibility clock would reset, whether or not he takes a snap in a game, and he wouldn’t be eligible again until 2031.

Rivers’ 2020 Colts performance was impressive. The Colts finished 11-5 with Rivers under center, making the playoffs as an AFC wild card. They lost to the Buffalo Bills in a first-round game and, several weeks later, Rivers decided to walk away from the NFL.

No Colts team since that 2020 squad has averaged more passing yards than the 253.3 per game produced with Rivers at the controls. Indianapolis won four of its last five games that season to clinch a playoff spot. And Rivers delivered throughout the season, completing 68% of his pass attempts and throwing 24 touchdown passes.

The mere exploration of Rivers as a possibility speaks to the dearth of options for Indianapolis. The Colts also have journeyman Brett Rypien on their practice squad, but he has yet to be added to the active roster this season.

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, according to ESPN Research.

The Colts remain in playoff contention despite losing four of their past five games. The Colts are one game back in the AFC wild-card race, but they have a difficult remaining slate of games: at the Seahawks, home for the San Francisco 49ers and Jaguars, and at the Houston Texans.