The Indianapolis Colts head coaching staff has not yet made a definitive decision on who will start at quarterback for Sunday’s Week 15 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed Friday that both Philip Rivers and Riley Leonard are under consideration, leaving fans and analysts in suspense as the team navigates a critical stretch of the season.
“We’re going to work through that right now,” Steichen said during his Friday press conference, according to Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star.
The comment underscored that the Colts’ coaching staff is still evaluating the readiness and potential impact of both quarterbacks before naming a starter.
Rivers, who signed with the Colts practice squad this week following Daniel Jones‘s season-ending torn Achilles, has quickly emerged as a candidate for the starting role.
The 44-year-old veteran quarterback has not played a game since the 2020 postseason, the only season he spent with the Colts after a long tenure with San Diego and Los Angeles Chargers.
Despite the lengthy hiatus, reports suggest that Rivers has impressed the coaching staff during the limited media portions of practice this week.
Riley Leonard and injury considerations for Indianapolis
Meanwhile, Riley Leonard, a sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame in the 2025 NFL Draft, would be making his first NFL start if named the Week 15 quarterback.
Leonard has been participating fully in practice, though he has been managing a knee injury throughout the week.
Reports from multiple media outlets noted that Rivers was the first quarterback to take reps during the portion of practice open to media, a potential indicator that the veteran could get the nod.
“Rivers’ week of practice was pretty impressive to watch,” Steichen told Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan.
The head coach added, when asked about Rivers’ readiness for in-game conditioning, “You got to go out there and do it.” This acknowledgment highlights the uncertainty surrounding Rivers‘s ability to handle full-speed NFL gameplay after several years away from regular competition.
The Colts also face significant personnel challenges for the matchup. Cornerback Sauce Gardner, offensive lineman Braden Smith, and receiver Anthony Gould are ruled out, while defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will not be activated this week.
These absences place additional pressure on whoever is under center to manage both the offense and overall team performance.
With the Week 15 game looming, Colts fans will closely monitor pregame reports to see if Rivers will make a surprise return to action or if the team will place its trust in Leonard’s youth and mobility.
Either way, the decision reflects a delicate balance between veteran experience and developmental potential as the Colts navigate a challenging late-season schedule.
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