Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Riley Leonard will start under center in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Houston Texans, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Seth Henigan will be the No. 2 QB. Philip Rivers, who started the team's last three games, is TBD as far as being active. The 44-year-old came out of retirement to help replace Daniel Jones (Achilles), but now that the Colts are out of the playoff picture, they'll take a look at Leonard in Week 18 with an eye toward the future. Rivers already announced that he will retire for a second time following the conclusion of this weekend's games. Arm strength was certainly an issue for Rivers in his return to football in 2025, although he managed to stay healthy and keep the Colts competitive. The eight-time Pro Bowler completed 63% of his pass attempts for 544 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions in three games.
Jan 2, 2026 8:21 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers retired for the second time on the Up & Adams Show on Wednesday. The 44-year-old veteran signal-caller came out of retirement to play for the Colts again this year after Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles in Week 14. The eight-time Pro Bowler was immediately thrust into the starting role for Indy after having last played a game in the NFL in 2020. Rivers ended up starting three games for the Colts in his return, going 58-for-92 (63%) for 544 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions in losses to the Seahawks, 49ers, and Jaguars. He held his own, but there understandably wasn't much left on his passes after five years away from the game. With the Colts eliminated from the playoffs, they'll give rookie Riley Leonard a chance in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Houston Texans, and Rivers will return to his big family.
Dec 31, 2025 8:00 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers is set to make his third start of the 2025 season in Week 17 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Since being called out of retirement in early December, the 44-year-old has held his own. Across two games, Rivers has completed 66.1% of his pass attempts for 397 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. While Rivers offers zero production upside with his legs, he proved he could still be efficient as a passer by averaging 7.9 yards per attempt in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers. In Week 17, Rivers will face a Jaguars defense that ranks 18th in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (3,492) and 27th in passing touchdowns allowed (26). Jacksonville ranks 6th in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (4.1), so Indianapolis may be forced to turn to the air more often than they would like. With the potential for a pass-heavy game script, Rivers profiles as a low-end fantasy QB2 option in Week 17.
Dec 27, 2025 12:47 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers has entered streaming territory ahead of his Week 17 tilt against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite not appearing in an NFL game since the 2020 season, the 44-year-old has looked quite comfortable in the Indianapolis offense and has flashed solid upside for fantasy. In his season debut in Week 15, Rivers faced a tough Seattle defense and went 18-for-27 with 120 yards and a 1:1 TD:INT. However, on Monday evening, Rivers took a massive step forward, going 23-for-35 with 277 yards, two scores, and just one interception during their loss to the 49ers. On Sunday, Rivers has a very favorable matchup against a Jaguars defense that is allowing the ninth-most PPR points to opposing QBs. Rivers carries high-end QB2 upside and viable streaming appeal for those in deeper 12+ team one-QB formats.
Dec 25, 2025 10:20 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers will remain the starting quarterback for the Week 17 matchup against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed on Tuesday that Rivers would make his third straight start this weekend. The 44-year-old has earned himself another start after a promising outing during Monday's blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Rivers has performed fairly well against two tough teams and will get at least one more start with the Colts technically still in playoff contention. The veteran signal-caller will be on the lower end of the streaming radar for this Sunday's game against the streaking Jags. In Monday night's loss to San Fran, Rivers went 23-for-35 passing for 277 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Dec 23, 2025 7:42 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers will be a risky fantasy asset when he lines up with the visiting San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football in Week 16. The 44-year-old made an improbable return to the field a week ago, leading the team under center in his first action since the 2020 campaign. Rivers and the Colts ultimately lost 18-16 to the Seahawks, although he actually looked pretty decent considering the long layoff. While the box score may have left owners wanting, and the veteran has lost significant zip on his balls, he was accurate and decisive, operating efficiently in the short and intermediate areas. With all that in mind, Rivers' current play style hinders his fantasy upside, relegating him to a low-end desperation play in superflex and 2QB formats. The 22-year NFL vet comes in as RotoBaller's QB30 for his outing with San Francisco.
Dec 21, 2025 12:15 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren has struggled mightily in recent weeks and may not be trustworthy moving forward. In the last two weeks, Warren has caught only five passes for 34 yards, and this is likely due to the unfortunate injury to quarterback Daniel Jones. With Jones in the lineup, Warren averaged 13.1 fantasy points per game, which ranks as the TE4 during that span. While Warren has been a monster at the tight end position this season, fantasy managers need to pivot with fantasy championships on the line. 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers is now the starting quarterback, and running backs were heavily utilized in the passing game, with Jonathan Taylor and Ameer Abdullah taking eight of the 18 total completions last week against the Seahawks. With a run-heavy system and a crowded receiving corps in Indianapolis, Warren is a risky TE2 in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Dec 19, 2025 7:30 PM EST
Making his first start since January 2021, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers managed to hold his own in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks. The 44-year-old completed 18 of 27 pass attempts for 120 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, and nearly led his team to an upset victory on the road. The Colts announced that Rivers will make another start in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers, who are expected to be a more manageable matchup than Seattle. Fantasy expectations should remain limited for Rivers, as he provides zero value as a rusher and averaged just 4.4 yards per pass attempt against the Seahawks. However, Rivers may be more productive as he gains more time to work with the Colts' pass catchers and becomes more familiar with the team's offense. In deep, two-quarterback fantasy leagues, Rivers could be a streaming option off the waiver wire in Week 16.
Dec 17, 2025 11:39 AM EST
44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers will once again draw the start for the Indianapolis Colts when they face the 49ers in a Week 16 Monday Night contest, according to head coach Shane Steichen. Rivers' Week 15 start against the Seahawks was his first since 2020, and despite throwing for only 120 yards, the Colts were a last-minute field goal away from gutting out the win. The Colts won the coin toss on Sunday and elected to start on offense, making their gameplan clear from the jump: run the ball, run the clock, and limit Seattle's offensive opportunities. Rivers ultimately attempted 27 passes, with his 5.2-yard ADoT ranking 28th out of 30 starting quarterbacks through Sunday and his 4.4 yards per attempt below everyone but Kenny Pickett for the week. With Indianapolis still mathematically alive for an AFC playoff spot, it seems unlikely they will deviate from that plan on Monday night, severely hurting the upside of all Colts pass catchers while leaving Jonathan Taylor in line for another huge-volume, likely low-efficiency outing.
Dec 15, 2025 2:46 PM EST
The Indianapolis Colts will start quarterback Philip Rivers on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. After coming out of retirement and signing with the Colts on Tuesday and getting a whole week of practice in, the 44-year-old signal-caller is set to play in his first game since the 2020 season. Rookie quarterback Riley Leonard (knee) practiced in full every day this week and looks like he'll back up Rivers this week, assuming he is active. The unfortunate season-ending injury to Daniel Jones (Achilles) and the fluky injury to Anthony Richardson (eye) in pre-game warmups earlier in the season have led the Colts to rely on the eight-time Pro Bowler Rivers as the starting quarterback. Rivers profiles as a desperation QB2 option in superflex leagues in a tough Week 15 matchup on the road in Seattle.
Dec 13, 2025 11:40 AM EST
ESPN's Stephen Holder says that his time in the Indianapolis Colts' building this week has left him "more convinced" that 44-year-old Philip Rivers will be the team's starting quarterback for Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Holder adds that it's pretty clear that Indy is prepping Rivers to start after he came out of retirement this week to join the team. Rookie Riley Leonard (knee) has practiced in full for two straight days despite suffering a sprained PCL in Sunday's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but it looks like he'll be the backup to Rivers if he's active this weekend. Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in Week 14, putting the Colts in this situation. Rivers is an eight-time Pro Bowler, but he has not played an NFL game since 2020. Consider him a desperation QB option in superflex leagues in a very difficult matchup on the road in Seattle.
Dec 11, 2025 5:07 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers has a "very real chance" of starting versus the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15 after a crazy turn of events for the Colts in Week 14, where we see Daniel Jones (Achilles) and Riley Leonard (knee) both get injured, leaving the Colts with no options at the quarterback position. Additionally, Anthony Richardson (eye) is on Injured Reserve. Jones is out for the year, and Leonard appears to be in danger of missing Week 15, although nothing is confirmed. Regardless, that leaves a 44-year-old man Rivers signing with the practice squad earlier this week after a successful workout with the organization on Monday, and according to NFL Insider Ian Rapaport, Rivers has a "real chance" at starting on Sunday. Rivers' final season was in 2020, where he threw for 4,169 passing yards with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Ultimately, fantasy managers need to stay away from this situation, as most Week 15 managers are in the fantasy playoffs, and he won't even be a decent QB2 start in superflex leagues.
Dec 10, 2025 9:15 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers has a "very real chance" of starting versus the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15. The 44-year-old signed with the team's practice squad earlier this week after a successful workout with the organization on Monday. With Daniel Jones (Achilles) out for the year, Rivers appears to have a legitimate chance at taking snaps this upcoming weekend. Rivers hasn't played in the NFL since the 2020 season with the Colts. He threw for 4,169 passing yards with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions during that season while leading Indy to the playoffs. Rookie quarterback Riley Leonard (knee) would be the next man up, but he suffered a Grade 1 PCL sprain in Week 14. With his availability up in the air, Rivers and Brett Rypien are the only healthy options on the Colts' roster. Rivers is probably the preferred choice given his experience in head coach Shane Steichen's offensive scheme. This is a strange situation, but the Colts are desperate for a QB with the injuries piling up under center. Rivers would be a desperation QB2 play in superflex leagues if he makes the start.
Dec 9, 2025 7:47 PM EST
Though Rivers previously announced his retirement from the NFL after one season with the Colts, he hasn't completely ruled out a return down the road, ESPN.com reports.
Aug 4, 2021 1:31 PM EST
Rivers has decided to retire after a 17-year career, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. "It's just time," said Rivers.
Jan 20, 2021 6:08 AM EST
Colts GM Chris Ballard plans to speak with Rivers in February, Stephen Holder of The Athletic reports.
Jan 14, 2021 12:25 PM EST
Rivers completed 27 of 46 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday's 27-24 wild-card round loss to the Bills. He also threw a two-point conversion and rushed once for minus-1 yard.
Jan 9, 2021 1:56 PM EST
Rivers (toe) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.
Jan 6, 2021 1:34 PM EST
Rivers (toe) was listed as a non-participant on Tuesday's practice estimate.
Jan 5, 2021 1:26 PM EST
Rivers completed 17 of 27 passes for 164 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the Colts' 28-14 win over the Jaguars on Sunday. He also netted minus-2 yards on two rushes.
Jan 3, 2021 5:15 PM EST
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