Philip Rivers, who last played in the NFL in 2020, is signing to the Indianapolis Colts\' practice squad, sources told ESPN\'s Adam Schefter on Tuesday. The 44-year-old quarterback returns amid a quarterback crisis with starter Daniel Jones out for the season and backup Riley Leonard dealing with injury.
Indianapolis brought Rivers in for a workout Monday night, and he threw the ball well, a source told ESPN\'s Jeremy Fowler. The Colts turned to Rivers as an emergency solution with Jones sidelined by a torn right Achilles and Leonard managing a knee injury.
Rivers is currently a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame\'s Class of 2026. His practice squad signing does not affect his eligibility, but joining the active roster would reset his eligibility clock until 2031.
Rivers has intimate knowledge of Indianapolis\' offensive scheme through his working relationship with coach Shane Steichen. They worked together during Steichen\'s tenure as Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator before Rivers\' 2020 season with the Colts.
The Colts finished 11-5 with Rivers under center in 2020, making the playoffs as an AFC wild card. Rivers completed 68% of his pass attempts and threw 24 touchdown passes that season before retiring.
Jones had been enjoying a career year before tearing his right Achilles in a noncontact injury Sunday against Jacksonville. Leonard finished that game but reported a strained knee ligament Monday morning and is considered week-to-week.
With 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson Sr. on injured reserve, the Colts had only journeyman Brett Rypien on their practice squad. Indianapolis (8-5) sits just outside the AFC playoff field with four regular season games remaining against Seattle, San Francisco, Jacksonville, and Houston.