Injuries Continue to Plague Colts' Quarterback Problems

This injury designation prompted the Colts, Chris Ballard, and Shane Steichen to consider the unthinkable - to work out long-retired quarterback, and former Colt, Philip Rivers.

Leonard's injury just puts a cap on what has been an absolutely disastrous last few days for the Colts franchise.

The sixth-round rookie out of Notre Dame did his best on Sunday against the Jaguars after getting tossed into a near-impossible situation.

Leonard's first real NFL action ended with an admirable stat line given his draft positioning, and the fact he is technically QB3 behind Jones and Richardson. Leonard finished 18/29 passing for 145 air yards and an interception.

Leonard looked good using his legs, scoring a touchdown to finish the game and help get Indianapolis to their 19 points on the day.

If Leonard can get through his knee issue, he'll get his first NFL start against a Super Bowl contender in the Seattle Seahawks, which isn't remotely ideal for Indianapolis.

While Leonard can still make the start, nobody is focused on that narrative right now. Instead, the NFL world has been turned upside down after hearing that the Colts will work out the 44-year-old Rivers.

Rivers' last action in the NFL was in a Colts uniform with Frank Reich in 2020. That year, Rivers finished with 4,169 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. That year is also the last time Indianapolis saw any postseason action.

While it's fun to think about a legend like Rivers putting on the pads and operating in an offense he knows like Steichen's, it's also an indication of how utterly desperate the Colts are for a QB right now.

Despite losing Jones and dropping their third-straight game, Indy is still 8-5 and just outside the playoff picture, meaning they can't just lie down and accept the season is lost.

It's a fun thought, but Indy's offense would be in better hands with Leonard under center than the completely immobile Rivers. Not to forget, Rivers has been retired for five years, and the NFL has changed since he was operating.

The playoffs aren't out of reach for the Colts, but they're also not close. Indianapolis has a solid record on paper, but 8-5 has never looked so fragile.

After dominating the NFL for half of the 2025 campaign, the Colts are now falling apart and falling back on retired QBs as potential life rafts.

It's okay to say the situation in Indianapolis is a dire one. It will be must-see television to follow the updates on the Colts squad, and if, somehow, they put #17 in charge of their offense yet again if Leonard can't recover in time from his knee ailment.

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