The Indianapolis Colts have yet to make an official decision with quarterback Philip Rivers for the Week 15 game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Rivers was signed earlier this week after Daniel Jones was lost for the season, but it wasn't clear if the 44-year-old quarterback, who hasn't played a snap since the 2020 season, would be ready to go by Sunday with only days to prepare.
Based on a new report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, it appears he will be. Fowler is reporting on Saturday that, barring a surprise, Rivers will start for Indianapolis.
"Barring surprise, Philip Rivers trending toward first start since Jan. 9, 2021," Fowler said on SportsCenter.
Rivers starting right away isn't exactly a surprising turn of events, as the Colts were trending toward this decision all week long based on how the practice reps were divvied up.
Indy is also in a desperate situation, with the team on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs. Even after five years away and at the age of 44, Rivers likely gives the Colts a better chance to win than Brett Rypien and Riley Leonard.
Fowler revealed that the biggest challenge for Rivers is his ability to adjust "to evolution/changes in Shane Steichen's offense," but the feeling is Rivers has "picked that up."
This isn't Rivers' first rodeo in Steichen's offense, as he played under the Colts head coach back in 2019, when he was the Chargers' interim offensive coordinator. Steichen was also Rivers' quarterbacks coach from 2016-19.
Perhaps the biggest thing to worry about is if Rivers is in football shape, something that is going to be tested early and often against an elite Seahawks defense that can get after the quarterback. Rivers is at an advanced age and hasn't played in five years, so it's a very valid concern.
We can't say for sure how good Rivers is going to be in Week 15, but we can say it's going to be fun to watch him slinging it again.
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