Report: Philip Rivers likely to make final start on Sunday

Field Level Media|published: Sun 28th December, 12:57 2025

NFL: San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts

Dec 22, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) looks on in the second quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The comeback story of Philip Rivers likely will reach its final chapter on Sunday.

Rivers, 44, will start for the Indianapolis Colts (8-7) against the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) on Sunday, with NFL Network reporting he is expected to cede the starting spot to rookie Riley Leonard next week in the season finale in Houston against the Texans.

The 20-16 win by the Texans on Saturday over the Los Angeles Chargers eliminated the Colts from playoff contention.

Indianapolis started the season 8-2 behind starting quarterback Daniel Jones. They lost the next three games with Jones, and then on Dec. 14 at Jacksonville, the QB went down with a season-ending Achilles injury in a 36-19 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Colts called the retired Rivers, who has been coaching high school football in Alabama, and asked him to return.

Indianapolis lost his two starts, with Rivers completing 66.1% of his passes for 397 yards.

Per NFL Network, coach Shane Steichen is eager to take a look a Leonard in game that will be competitive but with no playoff positioning on the line. The change was not made for the Week 17 start against the Jaguars to give Leonard a full week to prepare.

--Field Level Media

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