Philip Rivers Joins Colts Practice Squad in Stunning NFL Comeback Attempt
In a twist nobody saw coming, Philip Rivers is back-at least for now. The 44-year-old quarterback, who last played in the NFL in 2020, is reportedly signing with the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad.
Yes, that Philip Rivers. The same one who spent 16 seasons with the Chargers, closed out his career with the Colts, and has been out of football for nearly five years.
And now, he’s suiting up again-sort of.
The move comes as the Colts face a brutal string of injuries at quarterback. Daniel Jones tore his Achilles on Sunday, Anthony Richardson remains on injured reserve, and Riley Leonard is dealing with an injury of his own. With the quarterback room in crisis mode, Indianapolis is taking a swing on a familiar face-one who knows the offense, knows the head coach, and has more than a little experience under center.
There’s history here. Rivers has a long-standing connection with Colts head coach Shane Steichen, dating back to their days together with the San Diego Chargers.
That familiarity with Steichen’s system likely played a major role in this decision. Rivers may not have thrown a professional pass since the 2020 season, but he’s not coming in cold.
He knows the playbook, he knows the terminology, and he’s been around the NFL block more than most.
Still, this is uncharted territory. Rivers has been out of the league for almost half a decade.
He’s been coaching high school football, not reading NFL defenses. But if he somehow ends up playing on Sunday-and that’s still a big if-he’ll be staring down one of the toughest units in the league.
The Seahawks’ defense is no joke. They rank second in the NFL in points allowed and sixth in total yardage.
That’s not exactly the soft landing spot you’d want for a quarterback trying to shake off nearly five years of rust.
He’s back: The #Colts are signing QB Philip Rivers to their practice squad, per The Insiders.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 9, 2025
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. pic.twitter.com/Ps3gpUNIsh
Let’s not forget who we’re talking about here, though. Rivers isn’t just a guy with a long career-he’s a Hall of Fame semifinalist this year.
He made eight Pro Bowls, led the league in passing yards in 2010, and topped the charts in touchdown passes in 2008. He’s known for his fiery competitiveness, his unorthodox throwing motion, and his ability to command an offense with surgical precision.
Of course, the question now is less about what he was and more about what he can still be. Can Rivers step in and provide stability, even in a limited role?
Is this just an emergency depth move, or could it turn into something more? No one’s expecting 2010 Rivers to walk through the door, but if he can manage the offense, protect the football, and lean on the Colts’ run game and defense, there might be a role for him yet.
One thing’s for sure: this is one of the more fascinating storylines of the season. A 44-year-old quarterback returning to the team he retired with, reuniting with a former coach, and potentially facing off against one of the league’s best defenses? It’s the kind of NFL drama you couldn’t script if you tried.
Whether Rivers sees the field or not, his return alone is a testament to just how unpredictable this league can be. And if he does take a snap this weekend, don’t be surprised if a little of that old magic shows up, too.