Big news from the AFC South: The Indianapolis Colts have announced their starter for Week 15. To everyone’s surprise, it’s the guy who last stepped on the field in 2021 and recently came out of retirement—Philip Rivers. 

“The #Colts will start QB Philip Rivers on Sunday against the #Seahawks, sources tell The Insiders,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on X. “Age 44, out of retirement, after a full week of practice, Rivers is a go.”

The Blue Crew recently signed Rivers to their practice squad after Daniel Jones sustained a season-ending injury in Week 14. The thought of handing the reins to someone who has been away from the gridiron for five years makes plenty of people uneasy. Still, his familiarity with head coach Shane Steichen offers at least some measure of solace. 

From 2011 to 2020 (nine years), Steichen and Rivers were together in Los Angeles. For four years (2016-20), the head coach worked closely with the 44-year-old QB being Quarterback Coach in the LA Chargers. 

Previously, Steichen planned to see the veteran quarterback in practice this week before making a decision for Week 15. Even till Friday, he refused to comment on Rivers’ status, but he did hint at it for those who caught it. 

“I’ll say it was pretty good,” the coach said about Rivers’ practice week. “A guy that hasn’t been out there in five years, to go and practice the way he did this week was pretty impressive to watch.”

What makes things a bit easier on Rivers as well as Steichen is the low expectations. The Colts made it clear that they didn’t bring him to “save the season,” nor does the quarterback plan to “be a hero by any means” for the Indianapolis. Perhaps that may work and actually give the Blue Crew a fighting chance at making the playoffs. Week 15 just became more anticipatory! 

Philip Rivers no longer HOF eligible 

The 44-year-old quarterback unretired to join the practice squad, which kept his eligibility for the Hall of Fame alive. However, now that he’s been signed to the active roster, Rivers went from being a semifinalist at the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame to ineligible till 2031. It’s a basic requirement for players to be retired for five years before being eligible for the HOF honor. 

“I’m not holding my breath on that, and I hadn’t been counting down the years,” Rivers said about his HOF situation on Wednesday. “With all respect to the Hall and if one day I can be part of that group, it will be special, no question about it, but the extension of that time, if it comes to be, was not a factor in my thinking.”

Upon his return, Rivers has now become the sixth player in league history to play at the age of 44, joining names like Tom Brady, Warren Moon, George Blanda, Steve DeBerg, and Vinny Testaverde. Rivers and DeBerg had another thing in common—both were unretired. DeBerg, who retired in 1993, returned in 1998 (five years later) and went on to play eight games, including one start for the Atlanta Falcons. Now, it’s Rivers’ turn.