The Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback, Daniel Jones, revitalized his career in 2025 before suffering a torn Achilles tendon, ending his campaign. Fans got behind their quarterback and the team's hot start, and filled the stadium with No. 17 jerseys in honor of Jones.
After the injury, Indianapolis brought back an old friend, signing Philip Rivers to the practice squad. He last played in the 2020 postseason, in a loss to the Buffalo Bills. Rather than being considered for the Hall of Fame this year, Rivers was activated to the main roster, and because of the injury to Jones, he can don his old number.
Fans can still wear their No. 17 jerseys in support of their quarterback; they may need to tape over the name at the top.
Here is more on Rivers' number and why he gets to share it with Jones.
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Philip Rivers number
Rivers will be wearing No. 17 for the Colts. It was the jersey number he wore throughout his career with the Chargers, even after the franchise moved from San Diego to Los Angeles. It was also the number that Rivers was given when he signed a one-year deal with the Colts for the 2020 season.
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Daniel Jones number
Jones was signed to a one-year deal by the Colts for the 2025 season. When the QB signed with the Colts, he was given No. 17.
He initially entered the NFL with the New York Giants, where he wore No. 8. After being cut by the Giants, he was signed by the Minnesota Vikings and briefly wore No. 13.
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Can NFL players wear the same number?
No, two active players on the same team can wear the same number during the regular season. These rules are sometimes lax during the preseason, when rosters are nearly double the size of the regular-season roster, but it is not like college, where a player on offense and defense can wear the same number in the same game.
Rivers is able to wear No. 17, which was Jones' number, because Jones is on injured reserve and out for the remainder of the regular season. If Rivers and Jones happened to both be on the Colts' 2026 active roster, one of them would have to choose a different number.