After the season-ending Achilles injury to Daniel Jones, the Colts have lured 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement to save the season.
Rivers, who retired after spending his final season with the Colts in 2020, worked out for the team after the Week 14 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and was officially signed to the practice squad on Tuesday. The NFL great might be taking snaps in a game as soon as Sunday, when Indianapolis travels to Seattle to face the 10-3 Seahawks.
With the Colts in a three-team race for the AFC South and also looking to grab one of the wild-card positions, the team has deemed Rivers as its best option.
Here's the latest on whether the quarterback will play in Week 15.
MORE COLTS NEWS:
- Why the Colts are signing 44-year-old Philip Rivers
- 6 reasons why Philip Rivers signing smells of desperation
- How Daniel Jones' injury impacts Colts' playoff chances
- Full Colts quarterback timeline since Andrew Luck's retirement
- Why Anthony Richardson isn't available to start for Colts
Is Philip Rivers playing this week for Colts?
Rivers was signed on Tuesday and his status for Sunday's game is still to be determined. Though, don't rule out the quarterback making his return less than a week after signing with the Colts.
The idea that Philip Rivers could be the Colts’ starting QB **this week** vs the Seahawks is not out of the question at this moment.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 9, 2025
Throwing the ball and arm strength were not an issue in his workout, per a source.
Wed. And Thu. Will tell the full story.
Wild times we are in. Https://t.co/etHGg8N1bu
*This story will be updated throughout the week with more on Rivers' status.
When was the last time Philip Rivers played in the NFL?
Rivers last played in the NFL during the 2020 season as the quarterback for the Colts. Rivers started all 16 games, completing 68.0% of his passes for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, leading the team to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth with a 97.0 passer rating.
His final game was a 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card Round. He announced his retirement from the league shortly after that season.
MORE WEEK 15 NFL:
What happened to Daniel Jones?
The Colts' successful 2025 season was derailed when quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon during the Week 14 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The devastating, non-contact injury occurred in the first quarter and was quickly confirmed by Colts head coach Shane Steichen. The situation is particularly brutal because Jones was already playing through a fractured left fibula (the opposite leg), an injury that had limited his mobility in the weeks leading up to the Achilles tear.
Jones' injury not only ends his personal, resurgent, MVP-caliber season (in which he posted career highs in completion percentage and passer rating), but also makes the Colts' postseason hopes more distant.
MORE: Projecting Daniel Jones' next contract after Achilles injury
Colts QB depth chart
| Position | Player |
| 1 | Philip Rivers (practice squad) |
| 2 | Riley Leonard |
| 3 | Anthony Richardson (Injured Reserve) |
| 4 | Brett Rypien |