After Colts Turn To 44-Year-Old Grandfather Philip Rivers As QB, Fans Wonder If It’s A Sign Of Desperation Or Stability

The Indianapolis Colts are reaching deep into NFL history in a bid to salvage their season, turning to 44-year-old Philip Rivers as injuries decimate their quarterback room.

Indianapolis signed Rivers to the practice squad Tuesday, bringing the future Hall of Famer out of a five-year retirement after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Sunday’s 36–19 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones had been in the middle of a career revival, playing through a fractured fibula before his latest injury ended his 2025 campaign. `

Rookie Riley Leonard, who finished the game in Jacksonville, is dealing with a right knee injury but is still the favorite to start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson remains on injured reserve with a fractured orbital bone, leaving practice-squad veteran Brett Rypien as the only fully healthy quarterback before Rivers’ arrival.

Rivers hasn’t thrown an NFL pass since 2020, when he led the Colts to an 11–5 record and a narrow wild-card loss to the Buffalo Bills, throwing for more than 4,000 yards with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Since retiring, the grandfather has been the head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama, guiding the Cardinals to back-to-back Class 4A semifinal appearances and a 42–16 record over five seasons.

At 8–5 after three straight losses, the Colts sit just outside the AFC playoff picture and face a brutal closing stretch that includes the Seahawks, 49ers, Jaguars and Texans. The signing of Rivers is both a depth move and a swing at stability.