Veteran quarterback Philip Rivers last played in 2020 for the Indianapolis Colts. Photo by Tannen Maury/EPA
Veteran quarterback Philip Rivers ended his retirement and will sign with the Indianapolis Colts practice squad.
Sources told ESPN, NFL Network and The Athletic about the agreement Tuesday. Rivers worked out for the Colts on Monday. The 44-year-old hasn’t played since the 2020 season, which he spent with the Colts.
The move came just two days after Colts starting quarterback Daniel Jones sustained a season-ending torn Achilles during a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Rookie Riley Leonard is the only other quarterback on the Colts’ roster. Former starter Anthony Richardson remains on injured reserve. Brett Rypien is the Colts’ practice squad quarterback.
Leonard is dealing with a knee injury ahead of the Colts’ Week 15 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
From our breaking news segment on @nflnetwork with @TaylorBisciotti: Philip Rivers, age 44, signs with the #Colts practice squad — and could actually play sooner, rather than later. pic.twitter.com/YpMcEyyPEu— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 9, 2025
Rivers, who helped train Leonard before the Colts selected him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, completed 68% of his throws for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over 16 starts in 2020. He led the Colts to an 11-5 record that season.
The 17-year veteran ranks inside the Top 10 in NFL history in completions, attempts, passing yards and passing touchdowns.
He sits as seventh all-time with 63,440 passing yards, just behind Pittsburgh Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger (64,088). Rivers’ 421 career touchdown passes trail only Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre.
Just last month, Rivers was named a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. If he signs with the Colts’ active roster, his name will be removed from consideration and his Hall of Fame candidacy will be delayed by at least five years.
From @GMFB: More on the #Colts losing QB Daniel Jones for the season, as Indy now must add another QB. pic.twitter.com/viCgfPGteA— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 8, 2025
The Colts (8-5) currently sit in the No. 8 spot in the AFC standings, one placement below the playoff cut. They are in third place in the AFC South, behind the division-leading Jaguars (9-4) and second-place Houston Texans (8-5).
The Seahawks (10-3) will host the Colts at 4:25 p.m. EST Sunday in Seattle.
NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars defeat Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence throws a pass as the Jaguars competes against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville on December 7, 2025. The Jaguars defeated the Colts 36-19. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
