Shawne Merriman had a feeling over the summer that Philip Rivers hadn\u2019t quite turned the lights out on his NFL career just yet.<\/p>\n
The former Chargers Pro Bowl linebacker told The Post he got the inkling while talking to his old quarterback out at Antonio Gates\u2019 Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more you talk to him,\u201d Merriman said of his August chat with Rivers, \u201cit seemed like football never really left his system.\u201d<\/p>\n
So while the football world was stunned to see Rivers, the eight-time Pro Bowler, re-sign with the Colts this week after four-plus seasons away from the NFL, Merriman said he was \u201cnot shocked at all\u201d to get the news.<\/p>\n
Philip Rivers last played in an NFL game in January 2021. AP<\/p>\n
And now that it\u2019s officially happened, Merriman said he\u2019s predicting a strong game from Rivers if and when the 44-year-old gets the call to play in Indianapolis\u2019 Sunday matchup with the Seahawks.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s going to go out there and look pretty good,\u201d Merriman said. \u201cI really do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rivers was added to the Colts\u2019 practice squad on Wednesday following injuries to the team\u2019s top three QBs \u2014 Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard \u2014 and there\u2019s a chance he\u2019s activated in time for kickoff in Seattle if Leonard\u2019s ailment still lingers.<\/p>\n
Shawne Merriman was Chargers teammates with Philip Rivers from 2005 through 2010. Getty Images<\/p>\n
Rivers last logged an NFL snap in January 2021, and he had been happily coaching his son\u2019s high school football team in Alabama<\/a>. Although when Colts head coach Shane Steichen reached out about the opportunity to come back, he jumped, telling reporters Wednesday he was excited to get \u201csome bonus time<\/a>\u201d with his dream.<\/p>\n The father of 10 and grandfather of one admitted he\u2019s a bit heftier than when he last suited up for the Colts, but he joked running away from defenders was never his fort\u00e9.<\/p>\n Merriman, Rivers\u2019 teammate from 2005 through 2010, made sure to cosign that sentiment during his chat with The Post this week.<\/p>\n