After an unfortunate series of injuries under centre, the Indianapolis Colts are set to make a bold move in their effort to stay in the playoff race.
The Colts are planning to hold a workout with retired quarterback Philip Rivers, 44, to see if he may join the team’s practice squad, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday.
Rivers hasn’t played since 2020 — his lone season with the Colts after spending 16 years with the Chargers.
However, with the Colts still firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot and reeling from a season-ending Achilles injury to Daniel Jones suffered on Sunday, they’re hoping to bring back the potential Hall-of-Famer in an effort to shore up their desperate QB situation.
As it stands, the Colts expect rookie Riley Leonard to start Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks. However, the Notre Dame product is dealing with a knee injury.
Rivers is an eight-time Pro Bowler. Over his 17-year career, he threw for 63,440 yards with 421 touchdowns and 208 interceptions. In his one season in Indianapolis, he finished with an 11-5 record — good for second in the AFC South — and threw for 4,169 yards with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
The Decatur, Ala., native has a history with Colts head coach Shane Steichen, who worked with Rivers as a quarterbacks coach from 2016 to 2019 and served as interim offensive co-ordinator in 2019.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Rivers nearly came out of retirement in 2023. San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan apparently saw Rivers as the contingency plan had his team advanced to the Super Bowl and they ran out of QBs.
Because he retired following the 2020 season, Rivers is eligible to make the Hall of Fame for the class of 2026 — should he remain retired.
