Rivers wants one more chance in the NFL
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INDIANAPOLIS -- Philip Rivers wanted one more shot at winning that elusive Super Bowl ring.
So the 44-year-old grandfather and Hall of Fame semifinalist is coming out of retirement and rejoining the Indianapolis Colts.
Just hours after team officials announced they'd signed Rivers to the practice squad, the eight-time Pro Bowler told reporters he's eager to take his first NFL snaps since 2020 and hopes to start Sunday's crucial game at Seattle.
"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."
While the exuberant Rivers has never been prone to backing down from a challenge, he's never faced one quite like this.
Rivers spent the past five years in Fairhope, Alabama, coaching St. Michael Catholic High School's football team. Yet his mind never strayed far from the NFL. He said he routinely watched the Los Angeles Chargers and Colts, the two teams he played for during his first 17 seasons, and was watching again last weekend when Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon injury in a 36-19 loss at Jacksonville.
Rivers said he immediately wondered if the Colts might call.
At the time he was unaware, as were the Colts (8-5), that rookie backup Riley Leonard also injured his right knee during the game, creating even more urgency for a team flailing to keep its playoff hopes alive. Then the phone rang.
"He said, 'Heck yeah I'm interested,'" said Colts coach Shane Steichen, who worked with Rivers when they were both with the Chargers. "So he slept on it and then we called him back Monday morning and he said, 'I need to get up there and throw in that building.' So he came in here, and he didn't forget how to throw a football."
Steichen said it was possible Rivers could start Sunday -- depending on how things go this week.
Then again, Rivers has done just about everything in his career except win a championship.
The Colts were desperate after losing Jones and possibly Leonard, who was expected to practice Wednesday.
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.
Indianapolis closes the season against four potential playoff teams -- Seattle (10-3), Jacksonville (9-4), San Francisco (9-4) and Houston (8-5) -- they needed a steady hand to try to end a four-year postseason drought.
Lamar out again
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Lamar Jackson missed practice again for the Ravens. Baltimore is facing another massive divisional game this weekend at Cincinnati.
The Ravens this time listed it as a rest day for Jackson, who missed three games with a hamstring injury earlier this season. He hasn't been all that healthy -- or that sharp -- since returning. Jackson threw four touchdown passes in his first game back, at Miami on Oct. 30.
Then he delivered a smart performance in a road win over Minnesota -- but that was the most recent time he's had a full week of practice.
Daniels to sit
ASHBURN, Va. -- Quarterback Jayden Daniels will sit out the Washington Commanders' game at the New York Giants after aggravating his injured left elbow last weekend.
Coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that Daniels did not re-dislocate the elbow, which originally was hurt in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 2. The reigning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year was knocked to the ground after throwing an interception in Washington's 31-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday and exited the game.
Quinn said team doctors advised him to keep Daniels off the field against the Giants. This will be the seventh game the QB will have missed because of injuries this season.
Cincy hoping
CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals are hoping to get one important player back on the field this week while keeping another from exiting the lineup.
Rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart practiced Wednesday for the first time since suffering a knee injury Nov. 2 against Chicago. Stewart expects to play Sunday against Baltimore.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Tee Higgins is in the concussion protocol. Higgins suffered a concussion on Nov. 23, then twice got checked out for concussions last Sunday at Buffalo.
Bucs in a close one
Atlanta's Kirk Cousins beat the Buccaneers twice last season, throwing for 785 yards, eight touchdowns and only one interception.
Atlanta is 4-9 in a lost season. Tampa Bay is tied for first at 7-6 in its division.
Baker Mayfield and the Bucs (minus 4.5) are coming off a terrible loss at home to New Orleans. They have to get on track after losing four of five but the Falcons won't be a pushover. The Bucs are 2-9 in night games with Mayfield and coach Todd Bowles. The AP likes Buccaneers, 23-23.