Philip Rivers, 44, officially tabbed Colts starter, will play in first NFL game in nearly five years

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com.

The Philip Rivers comeback is official.

The Indianapolis Colts have tabbed the 44-year-old grandfather as their starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks.

It will be Rivers' first game since 2020.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers drops back to pass Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, during practice at the Colts' training complex in Indianapolis. (Imagn)

Rivers announced his retirement from the NFL after that season and turned to coaching high school football. There were reports in 2023 he was eyeing a comeback, but nothing ever materialized.

However, after Daniel Jones tore his Achilles and rookie Riley Leonard injured his knee after replacing the veteran, coupled with Anthony Richardson being injured, the Colts did not have many places to turn.

"I wasn’t hanging onto any hope of playing again. I kind of thought that ship had sailed," Rivers, who played 16 seasons for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Colts in 2020, said earlier this week. 

"But something about it excited me. It’s one of those deals where a door opens, and you either walk through it and find out if you can do it or run from it. I know there’s risk involved, but the only way to find out is going for it."

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip River Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, during practice at the Colts' training complex in Indianapolis.  (Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

STEELERS STAR TJ WATT UNDERGOES SURGERY FOR PARTIALLY COLLAPSED LUNG AFTER PROCEDURE GOES WRONG, BROTHER SAYS

Rivers added that he happened to be watching the Colts game