Philip Rivers will continue as the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts during their Week 16 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. Despite taking several forceful hits in his recent game, Rivers has proven resilient and ready to lead the team as they push through the final stretch of the regular season.
In his most recent start, Rivers was 18 of 27 for 120 yards with one touchdown pass. The Colts suffered a narrow defeat, falling in the final minute to a field goal. Rivers’ performance was marked by effective game management, which head coach Shane Steichen praised.
Rivers returned to Colts headquarters on Monday, eager to dive back into the action after his self-imposed exile from the NFL. With no hesitation on his part, he replied back, “I’m doing great.” He acknowledged the physical toll of playing again, stating, “I got my normal bruises that I had when I played.” This succinct quote is a testament to his grit and perseverance as he comes back to the game of pro football.
The Colts’ quarterback situation is still very cloudy with the possible return of Anthony Richardson. Richardson has been on IR since October. He’s been out after fracturing his orbital bone in a pregame warmup mishap. Doctors have cleared him to ramp up his activity and he’s started throwing again in the weight room. Conversations have already started about the best way to get Richardson back into the lineup.
With just three regular-season games left on the schedule, the Colts are clearly doing their due diligence in finding a new starting quarterback. Rivers’ wellbeing will be key in determining how long he remains on the field as a starter. Yet both his experience and performance speak to him remaining an important part of the team’s strategy long-term.
Just look at how well Rivers has managed games this season. He’s very limited in depth passing, as he has completed just nine of his 27 attempts more than five yards downfield. As he prepares for a rematch this weekend against the 49ers, the Colts hope to continue maximizing his strengths. They’re going to keep a very close eye on Richardson’s recovery over the next period as well.
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