Philip Rivers is scheduled to start again for the Indianapolis Colts after playing inSunday's 18-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Head coachShane Steichen told reporters Mondaythat Rivers will start in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.
Anthony Richardson cleared, but not ready
Rivers will start as backup quarterback and former first-round pick Anthony Richardson has been medically cleared from an orbital fracture that's sidelined him since Week 6. Despite his clearance, Richardson remains on injured reserve as he continues to work back into football shape.
Steichen said Mondaythat Richardson has been "cleared from the eye standpoint, but we're just starting to work him back in the physical activity of everything."
It's not clear when Richardson will be activated from injured reserve or if he'd start over Rivers if he was ready to play.
Rivers, 44, came out of retirement for Sunday's game against Seattle after not having played since the 2020 season. The Colts were desperate at quarterback after a season-ending Achilles injury to starter Daniel Jones. Richardson remained sidelined with his orbital injury, and fellow backup Riley Leonard was dealing with a knee injury.
Rather than look to practice squad quarterback Brett Rypien, the Colts called Rivers, who last played in the NFL for Indianapolis in the 2020 season. Rivers had kept in good enough shape to play and suited up for Sunday's game against one of the best defenses in the NFL on short notice.
Rivers exceeded expectations against Seahawks
Given the circumstances,Rivers performed admirably and had the the Colts in position to winSunday's game after leading a late drive for a go-ahead field goal with 47 seconds remaining. But the Seahawks needed just 29 seconds to get into field-goal range on their ensuing possession to set kicker Jason Myers up for the game-winning, 56-yard field goal that secured the 18-16 victory.
While executing a conservative offensive game plan, Rivers completed 18 of 27 passes for 120 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. The Colts were limited to a single touchdown and scored just one field goal after halftime.
But Rivers didn't make any notable mistakes and kept the Colts in front for most of the game. He successfully managed the offense as the Indianapolis defense kept the league's second highest scoring offense out of the end zone for the entire game. His interception arrived on a desperation downfield heave on the final Colts' snap of the game.
Rivers clearly doesn't possess the arm strength he once had. But he did complete some downfield throws when needed, including a 16-yard back-shoulder throw on the sideline to Alec Pierce that set up the Colts' late go-ahead field goal. It added up to a strong enough performance that the Colts are confident in starting him again against the 49ers as they fight to make the playoffs.
Colts face uphill climb to make playoffs
Behind the best season of Jones' career and an effort from running back Jonathan Taylor that had him in the early MVP conversation, the Colts were in position for the No. 1 seed in the AFC following an 8-2 start. But the Colts regressed even prior to Jones' Achilles tear, and Sunday's loss to the Seahawks was their fourth straight.
They've fallen to 8-6 and on theoutside looking in at the AFC playoff picture. They'd be the first team out of the playoffs if the postseason started this week.
The Colts have a difficult remaining schedule, with three games against teams that project to make the postseason. After Monday's game against San Francisco (10-4), they close with AFC South matchups against the Jaguars (10-4) and Texans (9-5), who are both in playoff position.
It adds up to a long shot for the Colts to make the postseason as their starting quarterback is sidelined. For now, at least, the Colts believe that Rivers gives them the best chance of beating those odds.
