Philip Rivers and the Colts nearly managed an upset win yesterday. The recently unretired passer will receive at least one more look atop the depth chart. 
To little surprise, head coach Shane Steichen confirmed on Monday that Rivers will start in Week 16 against the 49ers. The 44-year-old returned to the NFL five years after his retirement to fill in for Daniel Jones. With Jones recovering from a torn Achilles and rookie Riley Leonard dealing with a PCL sprain, Rivers could finish the year in the QB1 spot. Anthony Richardson could be nearing a return, however.
At the time Rivers signed with the Colts, Richardson had yet to be cleared for football activities. That has now changed, though, as Mike Chappell of Fox59 reports. The former No. 4 pick has been on injured reserve since suffering an orbital bone fracture during warmups in October. The latest update on this situation indicated it was still unclear whether or not a return to action would take place by the end of the season.
On that note, Steichen said (via Joel A Erickson of the Indy Star) it is yet to be determined if Richardson’s practice window will open this week. In the event that were to take place, his 21-day activation period would begin. A return to the fold in Richardson’s case would at least provide Indianapolis with a depth option under center. It could also allow the Florida product – whose future is very much in doubt – to provide a slight boost to his value late in the campaign.
For now, the Colts’ focus will be aimed at preparing Rivers for another start. Taking the reins one week after being contacted by Steichen and Co., he completed 18 of 27 pass attempts for 120 yards against the Seahawks. Indianapolis connected on a go-ahead field goal late in the fourth quarter, but Seattle managed to match it moments later. Rivers then threw an interception on the Colts’ final possession, ending the team’s chances of winning.
Indianapolis now sits at 8-6 as a result. With the Jaguars and Texans both winning yesterday, top spot in the AFC South is increasingly getting out of reach. The Chargers and Bills also won in Week 15, meaning a wild-card berth will challenging to attain as well. In any case, Rivers will look to build off his performance from yesterday as the Colts contemplate their options under center.
Monday night game. Should be interesting
That was one of the worst QB games I’ve seen. They win by 2 TDs is Leonard played. Rivers looked fat, slow and had zero arm strength. Are they just trying to ensure the sauce trade looks worse with better draft position? This makes absolutely no sense.
Someone commented on TV, Rivers looked more like a coach than a QB.
That game losing INT was a lollipop in the air. No zip on it at all. Taylor has to keep running ball and keep a short passing gamenfor them to win.
The game was done well before that pass. The players still responded to him, which will only get better.
It was over when Indy D allowed Seattle to get into FG range in 2 plays.
With Shaheed this Hawks team is dangerous but Darnold has to beat the Rams. The same situation as last year trying to beat the Lions. Can the Seahawks do it?
It was a bad performance (to be expected) but what were their other options? Leonard was out with injury. The only other option was bringing Rypien off the practice squad and I highly doubt that would have gone any better.
I’m a Chiefs fan too (I assume the hostility is because of them missing the playoffs or maybe you’re Raiders but anyway) I could think of 10 worse performances than that. Colts almost game managed their way to a win. Why change up what worked pretty well?
Yes I think the question is was Rivers cleared to play NFL football. Definitely looking like he just barely got out of the rocking chair and back on the field.
He played well for being back on an NFL field for a few days, after sitting on the couch for the last 5 years.
That’s a ridiculously low bar for an NFL franchise
Rivers was coaching high school football in Alabama. Hardly “sitting on the couch”.
They literally had a lead with under a minute to go. Can’t ask for anything more than that
Colts defense played well.
Rivers looked like a 50 y/o QB (realize he’s 44; that’s the point). Can command the huddle, call plays and read defenses. But on an NFL 10scale, mobility is 1, arm strength is 1, and accuracy is 3.
Monday night could ugly now that there’s game-film on Rivers… God Bless the effort though !
Indy took the lead on a 60-yard FG in the final minute, only to have Seattle go right down the field and win with its own 56-yard FG not 30 seconds later.
More proof that you don’t win in the NFL without defense.
The Colts defense played aggressively and productively until the last drive, where it was the “Prevent” of keep receivers in front of you and don’t miss tackles – whoops….
The accuracy will get better and I think his teammates will help him more. They damn sure didnt play like a 13 point underdog.