Dec. 31 (UPI) — The Indianapolis Colts will bench Philip Rivers and start rookie quarterback Riley Leonard in Week 18, coach Shane Steichen announced Wednesday.
Steichen said there is “a good chance” practice squad quarterback Seth Henigan could be Leonard’s primary backup for the season finale Sunday against the Houston Texans.
“I’m excited for Riley and this opportunity,” Steichen told reporters. “I’m proud of the way he’s handled himself all season. It’ll be a great opportunity for him to go out and develop and grow as a quarterback.”
Rivers, who came out of retirement and signed with the Colts on Dec. 9, completed 63% of his throws for 544 yards, four scores and three interceptions over three starts this season.
The 44-year-old, who was a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2026, ranks No. 6 in NFL history in passing touchdowns, No. 8 in passing yards and No. 9 in completions.
“Being 44 years old and to come out of this thing healthy is a blessing for him,” Steichen said of Rivers. “He is grateful for that. He wouldn’t change a thing, coming back out here with the guys and battling.”
Leonard, a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, completed 18 of 33 attempts (54.5%) for 145 yards and two interceptions over four appearances. He completed 18 of 29 passes for 145 yards and an interception, while rushing for a score, in his most extensive appearance — a Dec. 7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Steichen said quarterback Anthony Richardson, who sustained an orbital fracture in October, will not be activated from injured reserve. Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick by the Colts in the 2024 NFL Draft, appeared in just two games this season.
Week 1 starter Daniel Jones completed 68% of his throws for 3,101 yards, 19 scores and eight interceptions through the Colts’ first 13 games before being lost to a season-ending torn Achilles.
Jones led the Colts to a 7-1 record through eight weeks. They proceeded to lose seven of their next eight contests and miss the playoffs.
The Colts (8-8) will face the Texans (11-5) at 1 p.m. EST Sunday in Houston.