Indianapolis

Colts

Rivers is reportedly taking “some first-team reps” and is throwing the football “well.” Rivers is also, apparently, familiar with the Colts’ playbook because he runs the same offense, serving as the head coach of an Alabama high school. Perhaps unbelievably, Rivers is seemingly going to start in Week 15. He has no floor as a QB2/3.

Per Holder, “it isn’t difficult to tell who a team is prepping to start. That player is Rivers.” Whether this helps the pass-catching corps remains to be seen. Rivers has not played football since 2020. One hard hit from a Seahawks pass rusher could send the 44-year-old back to the sofa. Backup QB Riley Leonard suffered a PCL sprain in his knee last week, though he is currently practicing in full. Stay tuned.

The Colts officially opened Buckner’s 21-day practice window on Wednesday. He kicked the week off with a limited session and continued practicing today, though his participation level is unknown. The talented defensive tackle was placed on injured reserve in November after suffering a herniated disc in his neck that was pressing on a nerve, resulting in a loss of strength on the left side of his body.

The ankle issue is new for Downs, but he has been playing through various injuries all year. A full practice puts him on track to play in Week 15. With Daniel Jones out and one of Riley Leonard or Phillip Rivers drawing the start, Downs will be stuck in the WR5 ranks for Sunday’s game.

Pierce left Week 14’s game for a concussion evaluation in the fourth quarter. He was never given an injury designation and did not enter the league’s concussion protocol after the game. A full practice today with a different injury listed on the report means he should be good to go for Week 15. With either Riley Leonard or Phillip Rivers now starting in place of an injured Daniel Jones, our hopes aren’t high for Pierce as a fantasy option versus Seattle’s elite defense.

Leonard is dealing with a PCL injury, but a full practice to open the week means he should be available for Sunday’s game. Whether he gets the start or not is a different question. Phillip Rivers is now on the team’s practice squad and should take over as the starter sooner rather than later, though he may need a week to get up to speed after five years away from football. Even if Leonard starts, the knee issue could limit his mobility, which was his calling card coming out of college. He will be, at best, a low-end QB2 if he gets the start.

It’s anyone’s guess for now how much Leonard practices after injuring his knee in Week 14’s loss to the Jaguars. Late-week practice participation for Leonard — who threw for 145 yards and an interception against Jacksonville — would suggest he can suit up in eek 15 against Seattle. Philip Rivers, 44, who signed with the Colts on Wednesday, could get the starting nod if Steichen determines Leonard isn’t ready to play. Both QBs would be big downgrades for every fantasy relevant player in the Colts offense.

Rivers’ HOF eligibility will reset if he’s on the Colts’ active roster at any point in the coming weeks. Rivers was set to be eligible for the Hall as early as 2026. “I haven’t been holding my breath on that,” Rivers said during a Wednesday presser. “I haven’t been counting down the years.” If that’s the case, Rivers could be under center in Week 15 against the Seahawks, as QB Riley Leonard deals with a knee injury he sustained in Week 14 against the Jaguars. Rivers reportedly impressed Colts coaches and officials in his workout. Rivers would profile as a desperation superflex play in fantasy formats.

“He can still spin it,” a Colts official told ESPN. Another team source added, “I’d still take him at this stage over most 22- to 23-year-old [backups].” Rivers during his workout with the Colts threw on the run and worked the entire route tree. His familiarity with head coach Shane Steichen’s offensive system could land Rivers, 44, under center in Week 15 against the Seahawks. Riley Leonard is dealing with a knee injury and is considered week to week after subbing in for Daniel Jones (Achilles) in Week 14 against the Jaguars. Rivers — a recent grandfather — is not yet in typical NFL shape, however. “He needs to get in football shape, but there’s no question he can throw it,” a team source told ESPN. “Sources maintain that how Rivers handles his first week of practice will determine whether he plays Sunday.”

The 44-year-old Rivers signed with the Colts on Tuesday and could be immediately thrust into the starting role. With Daniel Jones out for the season, Anthony Richardson still dealing with an eye injury, and Riley Leonard now dealing with a “Grade 1 PCL injury”, Rapoport says there is “a very real chance that Rivers is the starting quarterback for the Colts this Sunday.” We will see how Rivers practices having been out of the league for nearly five seasons, but the Colts may be making the move to start him as soon as Week 15 against the Seahawks.