Philip Rivers’ return to the gridiron is being fast-tracked as the Indianapolis Colts have activated the 44-year-old quarterback for their Week 15 road matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Rivers will start on Sunday, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports, after ending his five-year retirement on Tuesday by signing with the Colts practice squad. Now, he’s on the verge of once again being a starting quarterback.
The Colts are desperate at quarterback. Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles in last Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson is on injured reserve with an orbital fracture. Rookie Riley Leonard, who was expected to replace Jones in the starting lineup, has a knee injury, but is off the injury report. With the Colts’ season on the line at 8-5, they are likely turning to the quarterback that last led them to the playoffs.
Rivers spent 16 of his 17 NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, but his last season came in 2020 with the Colts. He threw for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while the Colts went 11-5 and earned a wild card spot.
An eight-time Pro Bowler, Rivers went 134-106 as a starter in his incredible career and ranks seventh all-time in passing yards (63,440) and sixth in touchdown passes (421). Fewer than five months ago, Rivers signed a one-day contract with the Chargers and announced his retirement. But things have changed, and Rivers will be back in an NFL uniform on Sunday in Seattle.
“Philip Rivers forever.” Los Angeles Chargers
As he steps onto the field, Rivers becomes the fifth quarterback to start an NFL game at age 44 or older, joining a select group including Brady, Vinny Testaverde, Warren Moon, and Steve DeBerg. Sunday also marks 1,800 days since Rivers’ last NFL game, setting a record for the longest layoff by a quarterback over 40.
Rivers, who has ten children, is tasked with saving the Colts’ season against a formidable Seahawks team that has matched its previous win total with a record of 10-3.
