Shockingly, the Indianapolis Colts have lured 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers out of retirement. Much more beautiful is that he could begin in Week 15.
Colts beginning QB Daniel Jones tore his proper Achilles tendon in a 36-19 Week 14 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. His backup, Anthony Richardson, stays on injured reserve due to a facial fracture. Rookie QB Riley Leonard is battling a knee harm, making his standing for Sunday’s highway sport towards the Seattle Seahawks unsure. Fifth-year QB Brett Rypien, who has a 2-2 beginning file, is the one different QB on their observe squad.
That may thrust Rivers — who final performed in 2020 — into the beginning lineup. If he begins towards Seattle, historical past says it will not go properly for the fourth decide of the 2004 NFL Draft.
Who else has returned after a prolonged hiatus?
Former journeyman QB Steve DeBerg — who first retired after his age-39 season in 1993 — began a sport for the Atlanta Falcons throughout the 1998 season.
On Oct. 25, 1998, DeBerg stuffed in for an injured Chris Chandler in a highway sport towards the New York Jets. It went how you’d guess. In a 28-3 Falcons loss, he accomplished 9-of-20 passes for 117 yards and one interception. The New York Times wrote that he “appeared on daily basis” of 44.
Issues might go even worse for Rivers if he performs on Sunday. A minimum of, the Falcons signed DeBerg earlier than the start of the 1998 season, giving him an offseason to knock off rust.
Rivers has been teaching his eldest son, QB Gunner, at St. Michael Catholic Excessive Faculty in Fairhope, Alabama. On X, CBS analyst and former Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt shared that he runs the identical offense as Colts head coach Shane Steichen. Per Watt, the Colts coach and the previous San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers star have mentioned performs weekly.
