Riley Leonard injury update: Positive news for Colts after Philip Rivers' signing; QB decision out

Colt's rookie QB is listed in full practice after knee injury. He may play in Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks

Published on: Dec 11, 2025, 03:57:09 IST

By Shirin Gupta

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Riley Leonard, the QB for the Colts, was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice despite having a strained knee ligament after Sunday's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It is probable that he might be ready to play against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Riley Leonard back in practice after Knee Injury (Photo by Rich Storry / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) (Getty Images via AFP)

Leonard sustained the knee injury during the Jaguars game after being pressed into service when starting QB Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles tear. Initial reports described Leonard’s condition as “week-to-week.”

However, full participation is not yet confirmed.

What are the alternatives amid the QB crisis?

Leonard's status is uncertain for the game day. Given that, the Colts appear to be bracing for all scenarios.

Journeyman quarterback Brett Rypien, who is now on the practice squad, was in talks to be elevated to the position of immediate backup if Leonard is unable to go.

The Colts have signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers. The team's website confirmed that Rivers officially signed with the Colts’ practice squad on December 10.

Leonard's availability is important to the Colts

The Colts are already facing a full-blown quarterback crisis. Jones is out for the season, and another young QB, Anthony Richardson Sr, remains sidelined due to an orbital injury.

Stampede Blue noted that the Colts, who are already without their starter and top backup, are effectively riding the remainder of their 2025 season on whether Leonard can stay healthy and “claim the QB job,” especially given their lack of draft capital and limited options.

Even in restricted situations, Leonard's ability to start maintains continuity and may prevent the offense from using an entirely unproven backup. Each of the team's final four games could affect where they end up in the playoffs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shirin Gupta
Shirin Gupta is a content producer with the Hindustan Times. She covers everything between politics, entertainment and sports at the US desk. Shirin got interested in political journalism during her time as a web editor at her college newspaper NCC News in Syracuse when she first started seeing the effects of national politics in life of her fellow colleagues. Shirin has worked on a wide range of fast-moving and developing stories locally when she was at NCC editing accessible reports for the audience. Her current role requires her to track real-time updates, verify information and present balanced coverage across diverse beats. Covering US politics from an international newsroom perspective has further deepened her understanding of how domestic decisions can have far-reaching global consequences. With a keen interest in international affairs, Shirin continues to build her expertise in geopolitics, policy shifts, and cross-border developments. She aims to learn and evolve her reporting in matters of geopolitics and international issues. Outside the newsroom Shirin writes about books and music for her personal blog. She is an avid consumer of pop culture and reveres literature.Read More

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