...
By Cole Sullivan
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The Indianapolis Colts were once 8–2 this season and firmly in the mix for both the AFC’s top seed and the AFC South title.
However, everything unraveled fairly quickly over the final six weeks of the season, all of which ended in losses for the Colts.
The downturn began after quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a fractured fibula but chose to play through the injury. Indianapolis dropped two of those six consecutive losses with Jones under center before he ultimately tore his Achilles in the first half of their Week 14 matchup, ending his season.
Read More on NFL
In response, Indianapolis signed 44-year-old veteran Philip Rivers, who came out of retirement after five years away from the league. Rivers played well in his brief return, but it wasn’t enough to turn things around.
On Tuesday, ahead of their regular-season finale against the Houston Texans, the Colts announced that Rivers has likely played the final game of his NFL career, as the team plans to start rookie quarterback Riley Leonard in Week 18.
More news: Bengals’ Reported Asking Price for QB Joe Burrow Revealed
More news: REPORT: Ravens Coach Emerges as Top Candidate for College Job
Rivers drew three starts for Indianapolis and, over that stretch, completed 63 percent of his passes for 544 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. He averaged 181.3 passing yards per game and posted a passer rating of 80.2.
Following Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars, Rivers reflected on the opportunity to return and start again, referring to them as “bonus games.”
“I got three bonus games that I never saw coming, and I couldn’t be more grateful,” Rivers said.
...
The Colts selected Leonard with the 189th overall pick in the sixth round out of Notre Dame, where he led the Fighting Irish to the national championship last season. Giving him a start heading into the offseason could go a long way in determining how Indianapolis wants to approach the quarterback position moving forward.
More news: Travis Kelce Gives Bo Nix 5-Word Message After Chiefs-Broncos Game
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines