Philip Rivers’ time in the spotlight could come to an end sooner than expected. The Indianapolis Colts reportedly opened the 21-day practice window on quarterback Anthony Richardson on Thursday, giving the team another option to start games down the stretch.
Richardson, 23, is still dealing with vision limitations and isn’t 100 percent yet, but he is able to take part in portions of practice.
Richardson was placed on Injured Reserve in October after fracturing his orbital bone during pre-game workouts. Richardson continues to work his way back from that injury.
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While Richardson spent the entire season on the bench after losing the starting role to Daniel Jones, Richardson’s injury became a much bigger issue after Jones went down with a season-ending Achilles injury.
With the Colts scrambling to find a viable starter, the team made the bold decision to bring the 44-year-old Rivers out of retirement. Despite not playing in the NFL for five seasons, Rivers started for the Colts in Week 15, nearly beating the Seattle Seahawks. The team plans to start Rivers again in Week 16.
After that, the Colts could be forced into a tough decision. Assuming Richardson is healthy enough to play, the team would need to decide which player gives them a better chance to win games down the stretch.
Despite being out of the NFL for five seasons, Rivers performed admirably in his Week 15 start. The veteran completed 18-of-27 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown in the 18-16 loss. He also threw an interception during the contest. The Colts were competitive with Rivers under center, but lacked upside on offense.
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Richardson offers plenty of upside, but he remains a raw talent. The 23-year-old struggled in 11 games last season, throwing eight touchdowns against 12 interceptions. Much of Richardson’s value came via his legs, as he rushed for 499 yards and six rushing touchdowns last year.
But Richardson’s lack of progression as a passer led to the Colts signing Jones in the offseason and allowing both players to compete for the starting role. Richardson couldn’t hold off Jones, who was in the midst of a breakout year prior to his season-ending injury.
The Colts’ decision could come down to how well Rivers plays in Week 16. If he shows improvement in his second game back, the Colts may opt to ride with the 44-year-old the rest of the way. But if Rivers regresses, or the offense fails to put up points, the Colts could take a shot on upside and turn things back over the Richardson with a playoff spot on the line.
