The Colts’ practice week has come to an end and head coach Shane Steichen is not ready to publicly announce a starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks.
Via multiple reporters, Steichen did not say in his Friday press conference whether it will be Philip Rivers or Riley Leonard behind center to start in Week 15.
“We’re going to work through that right now,” Steichen said, via Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star.
Rivers, of course, signed to the practice squad this week after Daniel Jones went down with a torn Achilles. While Leonard has also been dealing with a knee injury, he’s been a full participant in practice this week.
Multiple reporters have noted that Rivers was the first quarterback up in drills during the limited portion of practice open to media, which suggests the 44-year-old QB will start Sunday.
Via Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan, Steichen said Rivers’ week of practice was “pretty impressive to watch.” The head coach added that when it comes to Rivers’ readiness for in-game cardio, “You got to go out there and do it.”
Rivers has not played a game since the 2020 postseason — the lone year of his career with the Colts.
Leonard, a sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame in this year’s draft, would be making his first start.
Steichen did rule out cornerback Sauce Gardner, offensive lineman Braden Smith, and receiver Anthony Gould. Additionally, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will not be activated this week.
Even though the Steelers already defeated the Colts this year, there’s one implication of Philip Rivers’ return that makes Pittsburgh’s current quarterback smile.
“Well, I’m not the oldest guy in the league — love that,” Aaron Rodgers said Thursday, via Brooke Pryor of ESPN.
At 44, Rivers has two years on Rodgers, who turned 42 earlier this month.
“It’s pretty incredible, though,” Rodgers said of Rivers’ return to the Colts this week. “He’s been out for, I believe, four full seasons, plus this part of this season. I was laughing because a couple of my buddies hit me up asking what I would do in that situation, and I said without missing a beat, ‘I’m retired, I’m staying retired.’ So, big credit to Phil.”
Rodgers was drafted a year after Rivers in 2005. The two didn’t have many battles during their time with the Packers and Chargers, given that they played in different conferences. But Rodgers noted he’s long admired Rivers’ game from afar.
“I’ve been a fan of his forever,” Rodgers said. “I’ve known him a little bit over the years. I’ve just loved the way that he competes, plays. Again, not the most gifted player, but cerebral as all get out. Hilarious trash talker. I wish him nothing but the best. I’ve been a fan of his for a while, and I hope he goes out and it’s just like riding a bike and he can jump right back in the saddle — and I expect him to.”
Las Vegas isn’t buying the Philip Rivers career resurrection.
The 8-5 Colts are 13.5-point underdogs against the 10-3 Seahawks on Sunday.
That’s not entirely an indictment against the 44-year-old Hall of Fame finalist, whose waiting period will reset to zero if/when he’s added to the active roster. The Seahawks are currently playing at a very high level, outscoring the Vikings and Falcons by a combined score of 63-9. Seattle also has allowed no touchdowns over the past two games.
Overall, the Seahawks have won three in a row and seven of eight. The Colts, after starting 7-1, have lost four of five.
The Colts immediately pivoted to Rivers after losing starter Daniel Jones for the rest of the year with a torn Achilles tendon. They had not added a veteran backup after losing backup Anthony Richardson to a fractured orbital bone prior to a Week 6 game against the Cardinals.
However it plays out, the notion that the Colts are pinning their hopes to a 44-year-old grandfather who hasn’t played in nearly five years was on no one’s bingo card. Including those of the bingo-playing grandfathers.
The Colts haven’t named a quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks yet, but it doesn’t look like Riley Leonard’s knee soreness is going to rule him out of the running for the start.
Leonard was listed as a full participant in practice for the second straight day on Thursday. Leonard replaced Daniel Jones in last Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars and was in line to start coming out of that game.
Head coach Shane Steichen shared news of the knee soreness on Monday, however, and the Colts signed Philip Rivers to their practice squad to give themselves another option for Week 15.
Cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf), wide receiver Anthony Gould (foot), right tackle Braden Smith (concussion, neck), and defensive tackle Grover Stewart (rest) missed their second straight practice. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (neck) and defensive end Tyquan Lewis (ankle) were limited participants. Wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle), linebacker Zaire Franklin (knee), cornerback Jaylon Jones (back), and wide receiver Alec Pierce (rib) have been full participants.
The Colts stunned the football-following world with their phone call to 44-year-old Philip Rivers. Cam Newton, who is eight years younger than Rivers, wonders why he didn’t hear from Indy.
On his 4th & 1 podcast, Newton called the Colts’ failure to contact him “a slap in my face.”
Newton last played in the NFL in 2021, finishing the season with the Panthers. Rivers last played in 2020.
At one level, Newton has a point. If the Colts were willing to dust off a literal grandfather in an effort to salvage the season, why not at least reach out to see whether Newton would be interested in trying out? (The Colts tried out Seth Henigan, an undrafted free agent in 2025, along with Rivers.)
Indeed, Newton has never retired. He never signed a one-day contract with the Panthers, ceremonial or otherwise.
“I did not,” Newton said, “and will not, because of an opportunity like this.”
At another level, it appears that Rivers became the Colts’ intended emergency option after Anthony Richardson landed on injured reserve and the Colts didn’t trade for a veteran backup to Daniel Jones. Given Rivers’s knowledge of the offense and his extended history with head coach Shane Steichen, it made sense for the Colts to tell Rivers to stay ready for a potential bat signal, in the event Jones suffered a season-ending injury.
Still, some would say Newton is far closer to Batman than Rivers. Unless Rivers rips it up right away, it will be fair to wonder if someone else (like Newton) would have been a better choice.
