Colts Call on a Familiar Face: Philip Rivers Set for Workout Amid QB Injury Crisis
In a move nobody saw coming, the Indianapolis Colts are turning back the clock-and turning to a familiar face-as they prepare to host former quarterback Philip Rivers for a workout. Yes, that Philip Rivers. The same one who last suited up for the Colts back in 2020, leading them to their most recent playoff appearance before riding off into what appeared to be a well-earned retirement.
But in the NFL, the line between retired and reactivated can blur quickly-especially when injuries start piling up. That’s exactly where the Colts find themselves.
Starting quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles in Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars, a brutal blow for a team still trying to find its offensive rhythm. Making matters worse, both backup options are currently unavailable.
Anthony Richardson remains on injured reserve, and rookie Riley Leonard is sidelined with a strained knee ligament. He’s considered “week to week,” but the Colts need answers now.
Enter Rivers.
The 44-year-old, who celebrated his birthday on Monday, is already a grandfather and hasn’t played a down of NFL football in three years. But he’s always been known as one of the smartest signal-callers in the league-a player who could read defenses like a seasoned chess master and deliver the ball with precision, even if his throwing motion was never textbook. If he’s stayed in shape and still has the arm, the Colts may be betting that his experience and leadership can steady the ship, at least temporarily.
Should Rivers actually sign and take a snap, he’d join a rare group of quarterbacks who’ve defied Father Time to play into their mid-40s. Only five quarterbacks in NFL history have played at an older age: George Blanda, Tom Brady, Steve DeBerg, Warren Moon, and Vinny Testaverde.
Blanda still holds the record as the oldest player to ever appear in an NFL game, suiting up for the Raiders in 1975 at the age of 48. Though he spent most of his later years as a kicker, Blanda did attempt a handful of passes in his final seasons, stretching a career that began in 1949 across an incredible 26 seasons.
Then there’s Brady-the gold standard for late-career production. Not only did he play into his mid-40s, he dominated. Brady won NFL MVP at 40, made the playoffs every year after turning 40, and capped it all off with a Super Bowl win in Tampa Bay in 2020.
If Rivers returns and plays, he’d slot in just behind that elite group, becoming the sixth-oldest quarterback to appear in an NFL game. He’d also leapfrog Aaron Rodgers as the league’s oldest active player.
It’s a fascinating twist in a season that’s already been full of surprises. Rivers has always been a fiery competitor, a leader in the huddle, and a guy who could rally a locker room.
Whether he still has the physical tools to compete at the NFL level is the big question. But one thing’s for sure-if he steps back onto the field, it’ll be one of the most compelling stories of the season.
Stay tuned. The Colts may be reaching into the past, but they’re doing it with a purpose.