This can’t happen, can it? Well, it’s happening. Philip Rivers’ last NFL game was a long time ago when the league was still in its 16-game regular season and he was set to start in a crucial game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Seattle Seahawks.
The 44-year-old grandfather became the Colts’ ultimate emergency option after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Notre Dame freshman Riley Leonard played without Jones in last week’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars but suffered a strained knee in that game. Despite being at full practice and without a game designation, Indianapolis still saw fit to bring Rivers back to salvage what once looked like a promising season. The Colts, who were 7-1, are now 8-5 and lost a playoff spot in a tiebreaker with the Houston Texans.
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Rivers was initially signed to the practice squad, but the Colts signed him directly to the 53-man roster after right tackle Brayden Smith was placed on injured reserve. This might not even necessarily be a one-and-done game.
During his time with the Chargers, Rivers pretty much owned the Seahawks. He earned his first start in 2006 with a last-minute game-winner off Vincent Jackson; in 2010, he lost a game on Earl Thomas’ game-deciding interception; but in 2014, he tore apart the Legion of Boom defense before winning again in 2018 in Seattle. The key part of this story is that Rivers’ last start against the Seahawks was so long ago that Earl Thomas was still on the roster and Sam Darnold was still a rookie. With the New York Jets.
Riley Leonard could be Rivers’ backup if he looks bad and/or can’t finish.
By the way, once Rivers rests, he won’t be eligible for re-election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame until 2031.
It’s surreal.