Why Colts are starting Philip Rivers at QB in must-win Week 15 vs. Seahawks

Billy Heyen

•
Why Colts are starting Philip Rivers at QB in must-win Week 15 vs. Seahawks image

There'll be a 44-year old starting quarterback in the NFL on Sunday, and his name is Philip Rivers.

Rivers, of course, was a long-time star with the Chargers before finishing his career with the Colts. Well, seeming to finish his career with a playoff loss for Indianapolis on Jan. 9, 2021.

That wasn't the end, though. Rivers has come back from retirement for Week 15 to start for Indy in Seattle against the Seahawks.

There have been widely varying opinions in the sports world about this, but on Sunday, facts can finally be put into the equation. Rivers can either sink or swim, and with him, likely the Colts' season.

MORE: Why Colts starting Philip Rivers is fun and doesn't deserve any hate

Why is Philip Rivers starting QB for the Colts?

The Colts felt they had no other choice.

Starting QB Daniel Jones went down in Week 14 with an injury that turned out to be a season-ending torn Achilles.

Third-year quarterback Anthony Richardson remains on Injured Reserve after a fluky injury with a stretching band that resulted in some eye trouble.

The Colts used sixth-round rookie Riley Leonard in relief a week ago, but even Leonard entered this weekend dinged up. He got healthy enough in time to be Rivers' backup, but the Colts clearly weren't sure they wanted him to start a huge game.

MORE: Our 6 favorite baby names for Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld's 1st child

The only other QB in the building was journeyman Brett Rypien, and Indy has clearly decided Rivers gives them a better chance to win.

The Colts, to some extent, got backed into a corner. They had to find someone who had a chance of knowing the offense in short order while also giving Indy a chance to be competitive.

They chose Rivers, and now it's up to him to show what he's got left.

More NFL news:

Staff Writer