Grandfather comes out of retirement to sign with NFL playoffs contender

A grandfather has sensationally been brought out of retirement in a bid to bring an NFL championship to a playoffs contender.

A 44-year-old Philip Rivers is apparently up to the task of trying to save the Colts’ season.

Indianapolis signed the previously retired quarterback, who last appeared in a game five seasons ago, to its practice squad following Daniel Jones’ season-ending Achilles tear Sunday, according to reportss.

Rivers could potentially start a game down the stretch for the Colts (8-5), per NFL Network, with backup Riley Leonard week to week with a knee injury, the NY Post reports.

Indianapolis is in a desperate spot to save its season following Jones’ injury and potentially turning to Rivers would be one of the wilder NFL storylines in years.

He last played on Jan. 3, 2021 with the Colts, and just celebrated his 44th birthday Monday. Rivers and his wife Tiffany share 10 children together — and their oldest child, Halle, recently gave birth to a son.

Rivers is even a first-time semi-finalist or the 2026 Hall of Fame class, and he would lose his eligibility should he sign with the active roster, according to ESPN.

A 44-year-old Philip Rivers is apparently up to the task of trying to save the Colts’ season. Image: Instagram/Getty

However, the father of 10 apparently still has the itch and participated in a workout Monday and apparently showed enough that the team inked him to the practice squad.

ESPN further noted that a source said Rivers threw the ball well.

He’s now in line to potentially start a game, although expecting him to start Sunday in Seattle against the 10-3 Seahawks would be daunting task.

Rivers hasn’t played since 2021. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

The father of 10 apparently still has the itch to play. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

Rivers reportedly has strong knowledge of the Colts’ offensive system under coach Shane Steichen, and the team hopes that could pay dividends in this playoff push.

That Rivers is even in this spot is due to a chaotic chain of events that has left the Colts vulnerable at the sport’s most important position.

Jones was enjoying a revival season before dealing with injuries recently, including a left fibula stress fracture, and then tearing his right Achilles this past week against the Jaguars.

Leonard replaced Jones and completed 18 of 29 passes with one interception, but he suffered strained knee ligament, per ESPN.

Former starter Anthony Richardson landed on injured reserve after suffering an orbital fracture before an October game.

Journeyman Brett Rypien is also on the team’s practice squad. The Colts are also scrambling since a season that seemed like it could potentially result in a Super Bowl berth amid an 8-2 start now may end without a postseason berth.

Indianapolis sits on the outside of the AFC playoff picture after losing Sunday to the Jaguars, its third straight loss and fourth in five games, although they have the same record as the Texans. The teams meet in Week 18 in Houston.

This article originally appeared on the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Grandfather comes out of retirement to sign with NFL playoffs contender