Following Daniel Jones’ Achilles injury, the Indianapolis Colts had no time waste as their 2025 NFL season was now hanging on by a thread. Hoping to keep the team afloat, the Colts have now signed 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers to the practice squad.
With Rivers returning to Indianapolis after retiring following the 2020 NFL season, the Colts now add another healthy quarterback option. Rookie Riley Leonard’s status for Sunday is uncertain as he deals with a knee injury. All signs indicate Rivers will serve as backup as Daniel Jones is out for the season and Anthony Richardson remains on Injured Reserve (IR).
Meanwhile, Brett Rypien—currently on Indy’s practice squad—is another option to command the Colts’ offense in Week 15. Lastly, tight end Tyler Warren is currently listed as the emergency quarterback. The rookie out of Penn State shined in college football due to his ability to play any role on offense, including several snaps at the QB position.
The numbers behind Rivers’ last NFL game
If Rivers starts in Week 15 when the Colts visit the Seattle Seahawks, he will become the third-oldest quarterback in NFL history to ever do so. Moreover, it will be his first outing since January 9, 2021, when he led Indianapolis’ offense against the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round.
Philip Rivers of the Indianapolis Colts waves to fans after a win.
The Colts fell 27-24, and Rivers decided to hang up the cleats afterwards. Back then, the former fourth overall pick in 2004 threw 27 completions for 309 yards and two touchdowns.
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Philip Rivers returns to NFL at 44: How old was Tom Brady when he retired?
Rivers seemingly up for new jersey number
Though out for the season with an Achilles injury, Jones is still in possession of the No. 17 jersey. Rivers has worn that number throughout his entire career, so as he re-joins Indianapolis, many wonder which jersey number he will take up.
With NFL quarterbacks wearing numbers from 0–19, there are only a handful of options available for Rivers. The currently available numbers are: 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12, and 16. As No. 12 is widely associated with Andrew Luck, it seems reasonable to say Rivers will choose a different option.
SurveyWhich jersey number would you like Rivers to grab?
Which jersey number would you like Rivers to grab?
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