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Philip Rivers stepped away from the NFL after the 2020 season. He appeared in 16 games that year in what until recently marked his lone season with the Indianapolis Colts.
Fast forward five years, when a season-ending injury to Colts starter Daniel Jones prompted Rivers’ former team to call him about the possibility of putting his retirement on hold. Rivers, 44, was signed to Indy’s practice squad this week.
Until recently, Rivers said he thought his football story was already completely written.
“I didn’t hold out any hope of playing again. I kind of thought the ship had sailed,” said Rivers, who played 16 seasons for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Colts in 2020 and again this week.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers on the sideline during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium, Dec. 6, 2020. (Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports)
“But something about it excited me. It’s one of those deals where a door opens and you either walk through it and find out if you can do it or run from it. I know there’s a risk involved, but the only way to find out is to go for it.”
Rivers added that he happened to be watching the Colts game at the moment Jones fell to the turf. He admitted it crossed his mind that he might eventually receive a call from Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen.
COLTS’ DANIEL JONES SLAMS HOME IN FRUSTRATION AS HE SUFFERES NICE ACHILLES INJURY
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers warms up before playing against the Buffalo Bills in an AFC wild-card game in Buffalo on Jan. 9, 2021. (Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports)
“When it happened, I thought in my mind, ‘What the hell?’ As crazy as this would be at the quarterback position, I have to admit I thought, ‘I wonder if Shane’s going to call,’” Rivers said. “Immediately the competitor in you gets excited.”
Rivers, an eight-time Pro-Bowler, has long worn No. 17, and will continue to do so in his second stint with the Colts, thanks to Jones.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on November 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
“I saw the injury live. I feel terrible for Daniel,” Rivers said. “I texted Daniel about him being so gracious around 17. It was meaningful to me.”
The Colts’ injury crisis was compounded by the uncertainty surrounding quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr.’s health.
Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was placed on injured reserve in October after suffering an orbital fracture during a pregame warmup.
The Colts visit the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday in Week 15 action.
