QB Philip Rivers desperate to get again within the sport with the Colts after popping out of retirement

[ad_1] INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Philip Rivers wished yet one more shot at profitable that elusive Tremendous Bowl ring.

So the 44-year-old grandfather and Corridor of Fame semifinalist is popping out of retirement and rejoining the Indianapolis Colts.

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Simply hours after crew officers introduced they'd signed Rivers to the observe squad, the eight-time Professional Bowler informed reporters he is desperate to take his first NFL snaps since 2020 and hopes to begin Sunday's essential sport at Seattle.

“One thing about it excited me and it is sort of a type of offers, the door opens and also you both stroll by it and discover out if you are able to do it otherwise you run from it,” he stated. “I do know there's threat concerned, what might or might not occur, however the one option to discover out goes for it.”

Whereas the exuberant Rivers has by no means been susceptible to backing down from a problem, he is by no means confronted one fairly like this.

Rivers spent the previous 5 years in Fairhope, Alabama, teaching St. Michael Catholic Excessive Faculty's soccer crew. But his thoughts by no means strayed removed from the NFL. He stated he routinely watched the Los Angeles Chargers and Colts, the 2 groups he performed for throughout his first 17 seasons, and was watching once more final weekend when Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn proper Achilles tendon harm in a 36-19 loss at Jacksonville.

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Rivers stated he instantly puzzled if the Colts would possibly name.

On the time he was unaware, as had been the Colts (8-5), that rookie backup Riley Leonard additionally injured his proper knee in the course of the sport, creating much more urgency for a crew flailing to maintain its playoff hopes alive. Then the telephone rang.

“He stated, ‘Heck yeah I’m ,'” stated Colts coach Shane Steichen, who labored with Rivers after they had been each with the Chargers. “So he slept on it after which we known as him again Monday morning and he stated, ‘I have to rise up there and throw in that constructing.’ So he got here in right here, and he did not overlook methods to throw a soccer."

Steichen stated it was attainable Rivers may begin Sunday — relying on how issues go this week.

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Then once more, Rivers has performed nearly all the things in his profession besides win a championship.

He completed the primary a part of his profession ranked among the many league's profession leaders with greater than 63,000 yards passing, greater than 400 landing passes and 134 profession wins. He was the 2013 NFL Comeback Participant of the Yr, and he is been round lengthy sufficient that the previous N.C. State star was the important thing piece within the commerce that despatched two-time Tremendous Bowl champion Eli Manning to the New York Giants in 2004.

The larger query is what can the Colts count on from this model of Rivers?

Whereas he is labored out and thrown at residence, Rivers acknowledges there is a important distinction between what he is performed and what it takes to efficiently run a professional offense in opposition to one of many league's high defenses. And although Steichen stated his playbook largely resembles the one he and Rivers used throughout their tenure with the Chargers, they have to nonetheless navigate some new wrinkles.

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He additionally weighs extra this time round.

“I do not know, simply being sincere," he stated when requested about his weight, drawing laughter. “It is not what it was after I walked away. I observe up with that, although, that I by no means ran away from anyone anyway.”

The Colts had been determined after dropping Jones and presumably Leonard, who was anticipated to observe Wednesday.

Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 total draft choose in 2023, stays on injured reserve with a fractured orbital bone and Indy lastly promoted veteran Brett Rypien from the observe squad to the energetic roster Wednesday. Rypien hasn't began a sport since 2023.

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The excellent news for Indy: Rivers does have some familiarity with gamers corresponding to Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr. and Quenton Nelson from his final stint in Indy.

And with Indianapolis closing the season in opposition to 4 potential playoff groups — Seattle (10-3), Jacksonville (9-4), San Francisco (9-4) and Houston (8-5) — they wanted a gradual hand to attempt to finish a four-year postseason drought.

So that they're giving Rivers a shot to get them again within the playoffs and perhaps a Tremendous Bowl.

“Instantly the competitor in you, you get excited, like, ‘Are you critical?’” Rivers stated, referring to the telephone name. “I do know routes on air isn't taking part in the place on Sunday afternoon, I do know that. However I haven't got any reservations about going there and throwing and doing that stuff, it feels good. So we'll take it sooner or later at a time, however I am excited. I really feel good.”