Philip Rivers embraces NFL comeback at quarterback after return to Colts: ‘I thought that ship had sailed’

Philip Rivers stepped distant from the NFL pursuing the 2020 season. He appeared successful 16 games that twelvemonth successful what, until recently, marked his lone play with the Indianapolis Colts.

Fast-forward 5 years, arsenic a season-ending wounded to Colts starter Daniel Jones prompted Rivers’ erstwhile squad to springiness him a telephone astir the anticipation of putting his status connected pause. The 44-year-old Rivers was signed to Indy’s signifier squad this week.

Until recently, Rivers said helium believed his shot communicative was already wholly written. 

"I wasn’t hanging onto immoderate anticipation of playing again. I benignant of thought that vessel had sailed," said Rivers, who played 16 seasons for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers earlier joining the Colts successful 2020, and again, this week.

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Indianapolis Colts backmost Philip Rivers connected the sideline during the crippled against the Houston Texans astatine NRG Stadium, Dec. 6, 2020. (Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports)

"But thing astir it excited me. It’s 1 of those deals wherever a doorway opens, and you either locomotion done it and find retired if you tin bash it, oregon tally from it. I cognize there’s hazard involved, but the lone mode to find retired is going for it."

Rivers added that helium happened to beryllium watching the Colts crippled astatine the infinitesimal Jones fell to the turf. He admitted that it crossed his caput that helium mightiness yet person a telephone from Indianapolis manager Shane Steichen.

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Indianapolis Colts backmost Philip Rivers warms up earlier playing against the Buffalo Bills successful an AFC wild-card crippled successful Buffalo, Jan. 9, 2021. (Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports)

"When that happened, successful my mind, I was like, ‘What successful the world?’ Just however brainsick this would beryllium connected the backmost position, I person to admit I thought,'I wonderment if Shane volition call,’" Rivers said. "Immediately, the rival successful you gets excited."

Rivers, an eight-time Pro-Bowler, has agelong worn the No. 17, and volition proceed to bash truthful successful his 2nd stint with the Colts, courtesy of Jones.

Indianapolis Colts backmost Philip Rivers (17) warms up earlier a crippled against the Tennessee Titans astatine Nissan Stadium connected Nov. 12, 2020 successful Nashville, Tennessee. (Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

"I saw the wounded live. I consciousness unspeakable for Daniel," Rivers said. "I texted with Daniel astir him being truthful gracious astir 17. That was meaningful to me."

The Colts’ wounded situation was compounded by the uncertainty astir backmost Anthony Richardson Sr.’s health. 

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Richardson, the 4th wide enactment successful the 2023 NFL Draft, was placed connected injured reserve successful October aft helium suffered an orbital fracture during a pregame warm-up.

The Colts sojourn the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday successful Week 15 action.

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