The Indianapolis Colts are expected to start rookie quarterback Riley Leonard on Sunday against the Houston Texans, sources told Stephen Holder and Jeremy Fowler on Tuesday. Philip Rivers, who came out of retirement after Daniel Jones' season-ending Achillies injury, came out of retirement and started the past three games. Rivers performed well but the Colts lost all three games and were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 17.
"It's almost like a slap in my face, bro," "I ain't gonna lie." "Did Philip Rivers send any type of sign that he was available?" "Why you asking me to do something that everybody else didn't do? I ain't no sucker. I ain't no lab rat. Come on, bro."
Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen was still processing the devastating loss of starting quarterback Daniel Jones when he was blindsided by another QB injury. Monday morning -- in the aftermath of a consequential loss at the Jacksonville Jaguars in which Jones sustained a torn right Achilles tendon -- backup signal-caller Riley Leonard reported to work with a sore right knee from the previous day's game. Now, Leonard's status was in question.
"Overall, for him, coming back, not having played in a few weeks, he did a really nice job," Ryans said. "If this is where he started, it's only up for him. So, I'm excited to see how he continues to progress."
