Philip Rivers-Colts update: New QB reveals jersey number, makes sweet gesture for Daniel Jones

Philip Rivers has decided on his jersey number for what could be a stunning comeback with the Indianapolis Colts

Published on: Dec 11, 2025, 01:37:32 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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Philip Rivers has decided on his jersey number for what could be a stunning comeback with the Indianapolis Colts. The 44-year-old Hall of Fame hopeful is coming out of retirement and wants one more shot at winning that elusive Super Bowl ring.

Philip Rivers has joined the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad (AP)

Just hours after the Colts announced that the Rivers signing was official, and he is joining the practice squad, the eight-time Pro Bowler addressed reporters.

“Something about it excited me and it's kind of one of those deals, the door opens and you either walk through it and find out if you can do it or you run from it,” he said. “I know there's risk involved, what may or may not happen, but the only way to find out is going for it.”

Rivers has joined the team days after starter Daniel Jones tore his Achilles tendon and is set to miss the rest of the season. Riley Leonard replaced Jones, but it is unclear whether the rookie will play vs the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Rivers spoke about the phone call he received. “Immediately the competitor in you, you get excited, like, ‘Are you serious?’ I know routes on air is not playing the position on Sunday afternoon, I do know that. But I don't have any reservations about going there and throwing and doing that stuff, it feels good. So we're going to take it one day at a time, but I'm excited. I feel good.”

Colts HC Shane Steichen said it was possible Rivers could start Sunday, depending on how things go this week.

Philip Rivers then revealed that he texted Daniel Jones to get permission to wear No. 17. Daniel told him, “Heck yeah, go for it.”

Meanwhile, Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall draft pick in 2023, remains on injured reserve with a fractured orbital bone and Indy finally promoted veteran Brett Rypien from the practice squad to the active roster Wednesday. Rypien hasn't started a game since 2023.

(With AP inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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