The quarterback situation raises serious questions among the Indianapolis Colts, who could call on veteran Philip Rivers, after quarterback Riley Leonard suffered a knee injury.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Rivers is scheduled to visit the team’s facility Tuesday to see if he can fit into the practice roster.
Leonard is already relieving starter Daniel Jones whose Achilles tendon injury will force him to be inactive until the end of the campaign.
Rivers, who turned 44 today, has a long relationship with Steichen, who was his quarterbacks coach with the Chargers from 2016-19 and interim offensive coordinator in 2019, Rivers’ final season with the Bolts.
Coach Shane Steichen said Leonard, a sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame, reported to the medical team Monday morning that he was having trouble with one of his knees. Steichen said the team is actively looking to find a way to resolve the issue.
Without offering certainty, Steichen could not confirm that Leonard would be able to play Sunday in Seattle against the Seahawks. “We hope so. We’ll see. »
Steichen did not provide details on the nature of Leonard’s injury. The latter did not indicate that he was injured during the game on Sunday. He finished the game after entering the game on the last series in the first quarter, completing 18 of 29 passes for 145 yards. He was also intercepted once.
The Colts will likely make moves during the week depending on the health of Leonard, who is currently the only valid quarterback on the roster. On the practice squad is veteran Brett Rypien, who could get the call to join the first team.
Leonard took over from Anthony Richardson last October following an unfortunate accident with a training elastic which left him with a facial fracture. Richardson has not yet been cleared to return, but the Colts are not ruling out the possibility.
Steichen also confirmed Jones’ ruptured right Achilles tendon and said he will have surgery later this week.
“It’s really a shame,” Steichen added. “He’s one of the toughest players I’ve ever been around. »
Jones will be a free agent in March when his one-year contract expires. The Colts had already planned to retain his services, but his injury and his long recovery period could seriously compromise their plans.
Steichen also said cornerback Charvarius Ward was placed in the concussion protocol after showing symptoms.
If Ward is indeed diagnosed with a concussion, it would be his third of the season, which would be concerning given the severity of his last head injury. Ward was injured in an accidental collision with tight end Drew Ogletree in October while warming up before a game against the Arizona Cardinals. The shock, which took him by surprise, caused him to lose consciousness, he said in a recent interview.
He said his symptoms persisted for weeks, causing him to question whether he would continue playing football. “I was dizzy for almost a month,” Ward said. He then said: “I wondered if I was going to play football again. It was really scary. »
The Colts are 8-5 this season.
