Philip Rivers hasn’t played in the NFL since 2020, but the 44-year-old quarterback is now attempting a historic comeback.

The Indianapolis Colts reportedly signed Rivers, who is a Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist this year, to their practice squad Tuesday after injuries to Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard.

It’s still unclear if and when Rivers could suit up for game action, but the 8-5 Colts could certainly use some help. Rivers retired after spending his final season with the Colts, leading the team to their most recent postseason appearance.

How unprecedented is Rivers’ decision to come back to the NFL? It’s not as uncommon as you think for future Hall of Famers to unretire, although his five-year gap is unique.

Here’s a look at eight NFL stars who returned to the field after retiring:

Tom Brady, QB

The NFL’s GOAT announced his first retirement on Feb. 1, 2022, only to rejoin the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 40 days later. He played out his last season at 45 years old, starting all 17 games, leading the Bucs to the NFC South title and leading the NFL in pass attempts and completions.

Tom Brady said on Wednesday that he was retiring from the NFL.

Rob Gronkowski, TE

Brady’s partner in crime sat out the 2019 season after winning his third Super Bowl with the New England Patriots. But when his quarterback went down to Tampa Bay, Gronkowski went with him. The Patriots traded him to the Bucs in April 2020 and he caught two touchdowns in the team’s Super Bowl win that season. Gronkowski played for the Bucs again in 2021 before retiring for good in June 2022.

Jason Witten, TE

The longtime Dallas Cowboys star retired after the 2017 season and became a commentator for Monday Night Football. Much-maligned by viewers, Witten returned to the Cowboys in 2019 and started all 16 games at 37 years old. He retired again after spending the 2020 season with the Las Vegas Raiders, wrapping up a 17-year career with 11 Pro Bowls.

Marshawn Lynch, RB

Beast Mode retired as a member of the Seattle Seahawks after the 2015 season, but he couldn’t stay on the sideline for too long. He returned for 2017, being traded to his hometown Oakland Raiders. Lynch spent two seasons with the Raiders before retiring again … only to return again in 2019 for the Seahawks’ playoff run. He suited up for one regular season game and two playoff games, scoring four touchdowns in limited action.

Randy Moss, WR

After a tumultuous 2010 season where Moss suited up for three teams and had little production, the four-time All-Pro retired in August 2011. But less than a year later in March 2012, he signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Moss had 28 catches in 16 games that season before the team lost in the Super Bowl, alluding him of the ultimate prize once again.

Brett Favre, QB

Favre couldn’t make up his mind in the late stages of his career. He retired as a Green Bay Packer after the 2007 season, but attempted to return the next summer when the team was already committed to Aaron Rodgers. Favre was traded to the New York Jets, only to retire again after that season. But that wasn’t the end, as he returned to play for the Minnesota Vikings in 2009 and 2010 before finally stepping away at age 41.

Deion Sanders, DB

Sanders is the closest comparison to Rivers in terms of time away from the NFL. Prime Time retired after spending 2000 with Washington. He was out of the league for three seasons, then returned with the Baltimore Ravens in 2004. He spent two seasons with Baltimore, playing all 16 games in 2005 at age 38.

With a nine-year MLB career and 14 seasons in the NFL, here are five things to know about Deion Sanders, head football coach at Colorado.

Reggie White, DE

One of the NFL’s best defensive players ever, White retired after 1998 as the NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year with the Packers. He came out of retirement in 2000 after one year away, starting all 16 games for the Carolina Panthers and adding 5.5 sacks to his career total of 198 (second all-time).