Colts bring Philip Rivers, 44, out of retirement before facing Seahawks

Lumen Field could indeed have a Rivers running onto it Sunday when the Indianapolis Colts come to town.

A day after reports surfaced that the team might sign veteran Philip Rivers to help out their injury-depleted quarterback position, the 44-year-old signed with the Colts’ practice squad, according to various reports.

Rivers, who was recently named a semifinalist for the 2026 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has not played since 2020. But he has familiarity with the offense of coach Shane Steichen after the two worked together with the Chargers from 2016-19 and it’s thought he can quickly get up to speed on the scheme.

Rivers reportedly worked out with the team on Monday night in the wake of starter Daniel Jones suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in Sunday’s 36-19 loss to Jacksonville and backup Riley Leonard suffering a strained knee that has him regarded as week-to-week.

Third-year QB Anthony Richardson also remains out because of an eye injury suffered in October in which he fractured an orbital bone and had to have surgery.

Indy’s only other QB on the roster is Brett Rypien, a Spokane native and former Boise State star who is on the practice squad but has not played since 2023.

Whether Rivers can really get ready to play Sunday other than in an emergency remains unclear. An initial NFL Network report of Rivers’ signing on Tuesday stated: “The Hall of Fame semifinalist, age 44, rejoins the Indy QB room to support Riley Leonard and serve as a potential option down the road. A dramatic return.”

This story will be updated.