Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Steven-Imagn Images

Colts' Philip Rivers tosses first TD pass since 2021 in NFL return

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Dec 14, 2025 6:01 PM ET

In his first NFL start in 1,800 days, Phillip Rivers has thrown a touchdown pass.

With less than two minutes remaining in the first half of Sunday's game between the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks, Rivers threw a touchdown pass to Josh Downs on third and 4 to put Indianapolis up 13-3.

Sunday's touchdown toss was the 422nd of Rivers' career, which is good for sixth on the all-time list.

Indianapolis led Seattle 13-6 at halftime as Rivers looks for his first NFL win since a 28-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on January 3, 2021.

PHILIP RIVERS TO JOSH DOWNS TUDDY.

CBS | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/6fF358D6ih
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 14, 2025

How Philip Rivers made his way back to the Colts

Rivers signed with the Colts practice squad on Wednesday and was announced as the starter for Sunday's game on Saturday, marking his first start since the Colts' 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round on January 9, 2021.

Rivers threw two touchdowns in that game, including what was thought to be his final career TD pass to Jack Doyle in the fourth quarter.

Rivers was signed after Daniel Jones suffered an injury against the Jaguars on Dec. 7. Indianapolis is on the outside looking in regarding the playoff picture, but a win on Sunday would put them even with an AFC South rival in the Texans at 9-5.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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