Stephen HolderDec 10, 2025, 05:00 AM
CloseStephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and NFL at large. Stephen finished first place in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition, and he is a previous top-10 winner in explanatory journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest. He has chronicled the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2013 and the Colts since 2013. He has previously worked for the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.
Philip Rivers, who has not played in the NFL since 2020, is signing to the Indianapolis Colts‘ practice squad, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday.
With starter Daniel Jones out for the season because of a torn right Achilles and backup Riley Leonard dealing with a knee injury, the Colts turned to Rivers as an emergency solution.
Indianapolis brought in Rivers, 44, for a workout Monday night, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Tuesday. Rivers threw the ball well, the source told Fowler.
Rivers is currently a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. Per the Hall of Fame, Rivers signing to the Colts’ practice squad has no effect on his eligibility. However, if he signs to the Colts’ active roster his eligibility clock would reset, whether or not he takes a snap in a game, and he wouldn’t be eligible again until 2031.