Indianapolis Colts: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Colts injury updates on Sauce Gardner, Anthony Richardson, and more ahead of the season finale against the Texans in Week 18

For a team eliminated from the playoff race, the 8-8 Indianapolis Colts sure know how to keep attention on themselves. The team is making a QB change by sending Philip Rivers to the bench in favor of a younger option at the position.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

If Colts Regime Returns In 2026, Plan Is To Extend QB Daniel Jones

Per ESPN’s Stephen Holder, the current Colts’ regime plans to re-sign QB Daniel Jones in the spring and hope for a quick recovery with the belief he can be their long-term quarterback.

Philip Rivers News / Pro Football Rumors / January 1

QB Philip Rivers Will Not Play In 2026

Philip Rivers largely impressed (considering expectations) during his three-game return to the NFL. After attempting to rescue the Colts’ season late in 2025, though, he will not continue his comeback into next year.

Indianapolis Colts News / Yardbarker / January 1

Colts reportedly have already made Jones decision for 2026

Colts reportedly have already made Daniel Jones decision for 2026

Jones was viewed by many as a legitimate regular-season MVP candidate before he attempted to play with a reported fracture in his fibula and before he suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon on Dec. 7.

Colts make final decision about Philip Rivers' future

Colts' Philip Rivers confirms future plans after shocking return from retirement

The 25 best NFL nicknames of all-time

The 'Oldest 4,000-passing-yard seasons' quiz

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Leading receivers vs. each NFL team' quiz

How many of the NFL receivers to terrorize each team's fanbase the most in their career can you name in five minutes?

The 'NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year winners' quiz

The 'Top-50 all-time NFL rushers' quiz

The 'Active 100-catch NFL seasons' quiz

Indianapolis Colts News / The SportsRush / January 1

Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon Hinted at a Possible Colts Rebuild After Embarrassing Playoff Elimination

The Indianapolis Colts’ 2025 season will be remembered for two things. First, Philip Rivers’ shocking return, and second, how they began and the brutal unraveling that followed.

NFL News / Yardbarker

The best passing performances from one NFL playoff run

Rule changes have made passing numbers easier to compile in the modern era, and the game's top quarterbacks have taken full advantage. While the heaviest hitters are represented here, some storied postseasons by slightly lesser-celebrated QBs remain entrenched in playoff annals as well.

Indianapolis Colts News / Indianapolis Colts on SI / January 1

5 Keys for Colts to End Season Right Against Texans

Playoffs are officially off the table for the Indianapolis Colts as they head to NRG Stadium to close out the 2025 season. After three games of the legendary Philip Rivers leading the Colts' offense, rookie QB Riley Leonard will get his first career start against a terrifying Houston Texans defense.

Indianapolis Colts News / Indianapolis Colts on SI / January 1

Colts on SI Predictions for Season Finale vs. Texans

The 2025 season for the Indianapolis Colts has been one of fantastic performances, breakout players, and resurgent careers. However, that was the first half.

Indianapolis Colts News / Yardbarker / January 1

Colts' Philip Rivers confirms future plans after shocking return from retirement

Is Rivers planning on extending his shocking return to the field?

The 'NFL QBs to start a game in 2025-26' quiz

Philip Rivers News / Total Apex Sports / December 31

Philip Rivers Retires Again: Inside The Final Curtain Call For The Colts’ Emergency Quarterback

Well, it was fun while it lasted, wasn’t it? Philip Rivers is retiring. Again. This time, it feels like the dad van is parked in the garage for good. If you thought Tom Brady’s un-retirement was a saga, the Rivers timeline is even more bizarre.

NFL News / Indianapolis Colts on SI / December 31

Predicting Riley Leonard's First Start for Colts Against Texans

Rookie sixth-round quarterback Riley Leonard gets his first start under center for the Indianapolis Colts against the Houston Texans on Sunday, a team riding an eight-game winning streak.

NFL News / Yardbarker

Looking back at every NFL Christmas Day game

For years, Thanksgiving belonged to the NFL, but Christmas belonged to the NBA. Occasionally, an NFL game would fall on Christmas, but it was anomalous, even avoided if possible.

Chris Ballard News / NFLTradeRumors.co / December 31

AFC Hot Seat Rumors: Chris Ballard, Colts, Jaguars, Titans

The Colts were surging through the middle of the season, but have collapsed to 8-8 and out of contention in the AFC South. Dan Graziano of ESPN writes that no one around the league seems to know the direction of Indianapolis and GM Chris Ballard after their late-season slide.

Indianapolis Colts News / Indianapolis Colts on SI / December 31

Two Colts Starting Corners Miss Practice, Status in Question

The 2025 season will come to a close for the Indianapolis Colts this weekend as they travel south to face the Houston Texans. The Colts have lost six straight games, and if they fall to Houston, they'll finish with an 8-9 record after sitting at the top of the AFC less than two months ago.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'CFP appearances' quiz

The 'Top-50 all-time NFL rushers' quiz

The 'Most NFL pass completions' quiz

The 'NBA Christmas Day triple-doubles' quiz

Anthony Richardson News / Indianapolis Colts on SI / December 31

Colts' Situation with Anthony Richardson Sr. More Complex Than Ever

As far as the QB story for the Indianapolis Colts in 2025, it's been all about two names: Daniel Jones and Philip Rivers. However, the Colts still have their 2023 fourth-overall draft investment, Anthony Richardson Sr., on the roster.

Indianapolis Colts News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NFL QBs to start a game in 2025-26' quiz

How many of the 58 quarterbacks to start at least one game in the 2025 NFL season ahead of Week 18 can you name in eight minutes?

Riley Leonard News / NFLTradeRumors.co / December 31

Colts Name QB Riley Leonard Starter For Week 18

Per Ian Rapoport, the Colts have named QB Riley Leonard their starter for Week 18, with veteran QB Philip Rivers stepping aside as the team is officially out of playoff contention.

Indianapolis Colts News / NFL on ClutchPoints / December 31

Colts rumors: Daniel Jones’ injury ruined season. Could it also cost Chris Ballard his job?

The season in Indianapolis flipped from optimism to uncertainty the moment Daniel Jones went down, and Adam Schefter’s read is that the Colts are still banking on bringing him back in 2026, believing he’ll be ready for the start of the season, which would make a Malik Willis-type pursuit less necessary.

Philip Rivers News / A to Z Sports / December 31

Colts benching Philip Rivers has multiple consequences that seem unfair to the future Hall of Famer after he did the team a favor

The last three weeks have been quite the ride for the Indianapolis Colts. Philip Rivers has been the team's starter after being retired for the past five seasons.

Philip Rivers News / NFLTradeRumors.co / December 30

AFC Notes: Philip Rivers, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Colts, Texans

Colts QB Philip Rivers spoke to the media after the team fell to the Jaguars in Week 17 and said he won’t be coming back next season, yet he has no regrets about doing so in an attempt to help the team reach the playoffs.

Daniel Jones News / A to Z Sports / December 30

NFL insider shares major update on the Colts plan at QB for next season after Daniel Jones' injury

After how he exceeded everyone's expectations to start the year, it seemed like a forgone conclusion that the Colts would re-sign Daniel Jones in the offseason.

Indianapolis Colts News / Pro Football Rumors / December 30

Colts Expected To Start QB Riley Leonard In Week 18

When speaking after Sunday’s game, Philip Rivers reflected on his three-game return to NFL action. Since that point, signs have pointed to the Colts going in a different direction under center for Week 18.