The abruptly quarterback-needy Indianapolis Colts are turning to a blast from their previous.
In a surprising improvement, Philip Rivers, 44, is popping out of retirement to affix the Colts’ apply squad, in accordance with reviews.
Rivers has not appeared in an NFL sport since 2020, however the eight-time Professional Bowler impressed the Colts (8-5) sufficient in a exercise Monday to garner a better look.
Tuesday’s signing comes two days after Colts starter Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles tear throughout a 36-19 loss in Jacksonville.
The Colts’ backup quarterback, Anthony Richardson, stays on injured reserve after struggling an orbital bone fracture throughout a freak accident whereas warming up earlier than a sport in October.
And even sixth-round rookie Riley Leonard, who entered in reduction of Jones on Sunday, is unsure to play this weekend in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks on account of a knee challenge.
Brent Rypien, a 29-year-old journeyman, is the one different quarterback beneath contract with the Colts. He’s signed to their apply squad.
All of that led Indianapolis to show to Rivers, who spent his first 16 seasons with the Chargers earlier than beginning 16 video games for the Colts in 2020.
Rivers handed for 4,169 yards and 24 touchdowns in opposition to 11 interceptions throughout that 2020 season, main the Colts to an 11-5 file.
Shane Steichen was not the Colts’ head coach again then, however he labored with Rivers for almost a decade as a member of the Chargers’ employees, together with because the quarterbacks coach from 2016-19.
Rivers, who turned a grandfather final 12 months, has been the top coach of St. Michael Catholic Excessive Faculty in Fairhope, Ala., since 2021. He now turns into a longshot candidate to salvage what was as soon as a promising Colts season.
After beginning 8-2 — and buying and selling two first-round picks and vast receiver Adonai Mitchell to the Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner — the Colts have misplaced three video games in a row and fallen out of the playoff area.
Indianapolis is a sport behind the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) within the AFC South. Whereas the Colts have the identical file because the Houston Texans, who maintain the third and ultimate AFC wild card spot, the Texans personal the tiebreaker because of a head-to-head win over Indy.
The Colts end the season with video games in opposition to the Jags and Texans.
Sunday’s harm complicates the long run for Jones, who, after being launched by the Giants final 12 months, was within the midst of a resurgent season.
The twin-threat Jones, who totaled 24 touchdowns in 13 video games, was enjoying on a one-year contract. The Colts had been anticipated to be fascinated about extending Jones, however the impending free agent now faces a protracted street to restoration.
“Obviously, just really feel for him,” Steichen mentioned Monday. “Just an unfortunate situation. The work that he puts in, the effort on a day-to-day basis, the grind, a team captain for us, just very unfortunate. One of the toughest guys I’ve ever been around, so praying for a speedy recovery.”
Tuesday’s improvement creates one thing of a full-circle second.
In 2019, Jones changed Eli Manning because the Giants’ quarterback. Now, Rivers could possibly be in line to interchange Jones with Indianapolis.
In fact, Manning and Rivers had been concerned in a well-known draft-day commerce between the Giants and Chargers in 2004.
Like Manning, Rivers was a semifinalist for the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame’s class of 2026, however returning to the NFL will droop Rivers’ eligibility. Rivers might want to wait one other 5 years after his ultimate sport to return to the poll.
Rivers is 134-106 in his profession as a starter.
