(Photo credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images)

Philip Rivers might not just return to the NFL after a five-year hiatus, the 44-year-old could be in play to start for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Seattle.

The Colts made their reunion with former quarterback Rivers official Wednesday, adding him to the practice squad before his first team workout in the NFL since 2021.

Indianapolis lost starting quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) for the season in their loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday and Monday night worked out Rivers because of injuries behind Jones.

Rivers, a good friend who was coached by current Colts coach Shane Steichen for six seasons with the Chargers, said he was watching the game and saw the play happen live before thinking his phone might actually ring.

'I thought,' Rivers said Wednesday, 'I wonder if Shane will call.'

He did.

'He said, 'Dadgummit, let's freaking go,' the 40-year-old Steichen said of Rivers' response in recounting the conversation on Wednesday.

The Colts arranged a flight to Indianapolis and throwing session on Monday night, Rivers' 44th birthday. He blew Steichen away, looking like he had been slinging the ball regularly since he walked off the field with his Colts teammates in January 2021 after a playoff loss at Buffalo.

Steichen said there is no rush for the Colts to make a decision on Rivers' gameday status. But it's clear he'll have a chance to play immediately if he can hold up to the physical strain of returning to pro football from his retirement role as a high school football coach.

'I'm trying to pick it back up,' he said. 'I've still been very into it since I've been gone (coaching high school and training draft prospects). But, yeah, it is a physical game and it's fast and dudes are big and fast, just like they were. So, shoot, you take it a day at a time. 'And I do feel good. There's something about being back in this building that feels right and I'm just thankful.'

Rivers was selected to the Pro Bowl eight times during his 17-season career with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers and Colts. He spent the 2020 season in Indianapolis and threw for more than 4,000 yards for the 12th time in 13 seasons, tossing 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the 11-5 squad.

Rivers ranks seventh in NFL history with 63,440 passing yards and sixth with 421 touchdown passes.

The Colts also signed kicker Blake Grupe and quarterback Brett Rypien to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. Cornerback Charvarius Ward (concussion) was placed on injured reserve, and center Jimmy Morrissey also was assigned to the practice squad.

The Colts signed the veteran Rypien, 29, to the practice squad on Oct. 15, marking his eighth team. He has played in 11 career games (four starts), thrown for 950 yards and has four touchdowns and nine interceptions.

The plan of the moment is for Rypien to back up Riley Leonard, who would assume the starting spot from Jones. But Leonard's status won't be known until later this week. Steichen said Leonard, a rookie sixth-round pick, is dealing with a knee injury.

Rypien potentially could also be called on Sunday for the Colts (8-5) at the Seattle Seahawks (10-3) with Rivers entering the conversation for Week 16. The Colts host the San Francisco 49ers on 'Monday Night Football' next week.

While the Colts work out the QB depth chart, the NFL approved Rivers wearing the No. 17 he donned in previous NFL and college stops. Permission was required because Jones, while on IR and not the active roster or practice squad, wore the same number this season.

Rivers said he has no idea what his current weight might be and has avoided the scale. He said, 'It's not what it was when I walked off the field in Buffalo.'

Grupe, 27, was signed to the practice squad on Dec. 2 and elevated for the Jacksonville game, making two field goals and an extra point. He has played in 46 career games with the Colts (2025) and New Orleans Saints (2023-25).

Ward, 29, is in the concussion protocol for the third time this season.

'I think that's what's most important, and what's most paramount right now, is how he is as human,' defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said Tuesday. 'Forget about the football player part of it. I just really want him to be OK and that's what's most important, dealing with all that right now.

'It's just unfortunate. I just want what's best for him and his family.'

Morrissey, 27, signed with the Colts on Sept. 16 and was assigned to the practice squad. He was released after Week 13 and re-signed. The Colts are his fourth team, and he has appeared in 14 career games (four starts) with the Houston Texans.

--Field Level Media