The Indianapolis Colts will elevate quarterback Philip Rivers from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of their game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. This decision, confirmed by sources to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, allows Rivers to officially play after coming out of retirement to address the team’s quarterback needs following Daniel Jones’ season-ending Achilles injury.
Rivers, who retired after the 2020 NFL season, last played in a playoff game in January 2021. At 44 years old, he was initially signed to the practice squad but must now be added to the official roster to participate in games. This marks a significant moment in his career, as he transitions from being a semifinalist for this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame to being ineligible for consideration until 2031.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen has not confirmed who will start against Seattle, but he indicated that Rivers’ performance in practice has been impressive given his five-year absence from competitive play. “A guy that hasn’t been out there in five years, to go and practice the way he did this week was pretty impressive to watch,” Steichen stated. He plans to meet with Rivers after practice to ensure his arm and legs are responding well to the sudden return.
The Colts find themselves in uncharted territory, relying on a veteran quarterback who has not played competitively in nearly 1,800 days. While the team has attempted to simulate game situations during practices, Steichen acknowledges that the actual game experience will be different. “The game speed will be a little different for him, so there’ll be an acclimation period if he’s out there,” he said.
Despite the excitement surrounding Rivers’ return, the Colts are mindful of maintaining realistic expectations. Steichen emphasized that Rivers is not expected to single-handedly save the season. “He’s here to be a great leader, a great teammate, operate the offense, and get us in and out of the right plays,” he explained. The focus remains on taking it one day at a time as they prepare for the challenge ahead.
As Rivers gears up for his first game back, the Colts aim to balance the buzz generated by his return with the understanding that adapting to the field will require patience and teamwork.
