The Indianapolis Colts pulling Philip Rivers out of retirement has the potential to be the story of the year for the NFL.
Indianapolis is in the hunt for an AFC wild-card spot but must go forward without starter Daniel Jones, whose resurgent season was cut short following an Achilles injury he suffered in Week 14. Rivers was signed to the Colts’ practice squad this week and was seen taking first-team reps in practice as NFL fans are beginning to anticipate he may play his first game since the 2020 season.
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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, last year’s NFL Coach of the Year and one of the brightest minds when it comes to the quarterback position, weighed in on the prospect of Rivers’ return to the playing field.
O’Connell, 40, grew up in San Diego, playing for San Diego State, and spent time at Chargers training camp in 2012 with Rivers. The Vikings coach quipped about the 44-year-old grandfather having enough children around the house to keep him sharp.
“Not surprised at all,” O’Connell said of Rivers’ comeback. “I know for a fact he’s got a full-scale practice field at his house, and he’s got enough folks in his family to form a team if he needs to.
“Philip Rivers is one of the best to ever do it, and I wouldn’t put anything past him… to play at a really high level like he always did.”
Whether Rivers is ready to step on an NFL field will be the question the Colts ultimately answer. Rivers was asked about his weight, and while he is not in NFL shape, he made a valid point in jest.
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“Right this second? I’m not sure. … Not what it was when I walked off the field in Buffalo,” Rivers said, referring to a playoff loss to the Bills in January 2021, the last game he played. “But I ain’t ran away from anybody anyway.”
Rivers has a reasonable chance of playing again. Anthony Richardson is on injured reserve and sixth-round rookie Riley Leonard is questionable with a knee injury. The only healthy backup, Brett Rypien, has never caught on as a starter around the league.
Indianapolis needs a quarterback who gives them the best chance at winning, and Rivers’ experience may give the Colts the best chance.
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