Colts

• The Colts moved to sign veteran QB Philip Rivers to their practice squad following Daniel Jones‘ season-ending injury, while backup QB Riley Leonard also suffered a knee injury. According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder and Jeremy Fowler, HC Shane Steichen reached out to Rivers not long after Leonard’s injury was diagnosed.
• Team sources tell ESPN that Rivers was “immediately open to the idea” when Steichen approached him.
• Another team source believes that Rivers becoming an emergency option was at least an informal thought once Anthony Richardson suffered his orbital fracture in October.
• Team sources also indicated that Indianapolis explored the trade market after Richardson’s injury, but nothing materialized.
• One team source told ESPN that the addition of Rivers didn’t surprise anyone because of the relationship between Steichen and the veteran quarterback: “It was like, ‘if s— goes south, would he be willing? Shane and Philip are close, so I don’t think this really surprised anyone.”
• Another team source points out that options were slim and Rivers understands Steichen’s system: “Options out there are slim. He knows the system, so why not? What the heck?”
• Rivers was a semifinalist to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2026, but his return to the NFL will restart his five-year waiting period. One team source praised Rivers for his decision: “I give him a lot of credit, and it says a lot about who he is as a person. I don’t know if he would have gotten in right away, but he will eventually.”
• Multiple sources within the Colts point out that Rivers can still sling the ball effectively: “I’d still take him at this stage over most 22- to 23-year-old [backups].”
• Another team source points out that Rivers still needs to get back in football shape: “He needs to get in football shape, but there’s no question he can throw it.”
• As for his Week 15 availability, one team source tells ESPN that how Rivers handles practice will determine whether he plays.
• Dianni Russini of The Athletic cites a source close to Rivers who claims the veteran is “in better shape now than when he played.”
• Russini’s source called it a “no-brainer” for Indianapolis: “It’s a no-brainer for who gives them the best chance.”
• Joel Erickson writes that Leonard (knee) practiced on Wednesday, and Indianapolis will decide on their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game by the end of the week.
• Regarding his decision to sign with the Colts, Rivers said he has a great relationship with Steichen: “It’s a coach that I love, an organization that I enjoyed being with. … the teammates I was able to play with. 14 of them are still here. … They wanted me, I tried to keep it as simple as that.” (Erickson)
• Rivers said his Hall of Fame candidacy wasn’t a factor in his decision: *“I haven’t been holding my breath on that, I haven’t been counting down...