The Indianapolis Colts made it official: quarterback Philip Rivers is back in the NFL, signing with the team's practice squad. That move sets up a likely Week 16 showdown between the 44-year-old veteran and the San Francisco 49ers defense when the Niners travel to Lucas Oil Stadium—assuming he starts.
Rivers has not taken an NFL snap since the 2020 season.
He's back: The #Colts are signing QB Philip Rivers to their practice squad, per The Insiders.
The Hall of Fame semifinalist, age 44, rejoins the Indy QB room to support Riley Leonard and serve as a potential option down the road. A dramatic return. pic.twitter.com/Ps3gpUNIsh
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 9, 2025
The Colts' season took a significant turn on Sunday when starter Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles against the Jacksonville Jaguars, forcing Indianapolis to seek out experienced help under center. Despite an 8-5 record, the Colts have dropped three straight and four of their last five but remain in the AFC playoff hunt.
During his final NFL season, which was with the Colts, Rivers threw for 4,169 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, per Pro Football Reference. Over his 17-year NFL career—16 of those with the Chargers—he earned eight Pro Bowl selections and was one of the league's most productive quarterbacks, throwing for 63,440 yards and 421 touchdowns.
The 49ers previously explored adding Rivers in 2022 after losing Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo to season-ending injuries. However, then-rookie Brock Purdy's breakout performance diminished the need for another veteran quarterback.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan later admitted that when Purdy suffered an elbow injury in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the idea of signing Rivers resurfaced. However, instead of advancing to the Super Bowl, the 49ers' season ended in Philadelphia.