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Phillip Rivers is starting for the Indianapolis Colts in their Week 17 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Head coach Shane Steichen said early this past week that even if the Colts were eliminated from the playoffs -- which they have been -- having rookie Riley Leonard start over Rivers on such short notice wouldn't be fair to him.
But what about next against Houston when Leonard has a full week to prepare, and the Colts are out of contention?
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport believes there's a possibility that Leonard gets the nod.
"Certainly the fact that they are out of the playoffs does not bode well for next week for Phillip Rivers," Rapoport said.
"Next week would obviously have a lot more notice (for Leonard) and nobody wants this story to end but the reality is the Indianapolis Colts have to look to the future and giving Riley Leonard a start at the end of the year in a game that doesn't mean anything makes a lot of sense for the Colts' future. Would not be surprised if that is the direction they end up going."
The Colts have had to make adjustments to the offense with Rivers at quarterback, however, bringing him in has provided Indianapolis with needed stability at that position.
But the reason to start Leonard in Week 18 is all about the future, giving the rookie some valuable experience and allowing the Colts to get an extended look at how he's progressed through his first season.
In three games, Leonard has completed 18-of-32 passes for 145 yards with an interception and a rushing touchdown.
Anthony Richardson remains on injured reserve and has been at practice. It remains to be seen whether or not the Colts will add him back to the 53-man roster for the final game of the season.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Game vs. Jaguars could be Phillip Rivers last start with Colts
Continue reading...
Head coach Shane Steichen said early this past week that even if the Colts were eliminated from the playoffs -- which they have been -- having rookie Riley Leonard start over Rivers on such short notice wouldn't be fair to him.
But what about next against Houston when Leonard has a full week to prepare, and the Colts are out of contention?
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport believes there's a possibility that Leonard gets the nod.
"Certainly the fact that they are out of the playoffs does not bode well for next week for Phillip Rivers," Rapoport said.
"Next week would obviously have a lot more notice (for Leonard) and nobody wants this story to end but the reality is the Indianapolis Colts have to look to the future and giving Riley Leonard a start at the end of the year in a game that doesn't mean anything makes a lot of sense for the Colts' future. Would not be surprised if that is the direction they end up going."
The Colts have had to make adjustments to the offense with Rivers at quarterback, however, bringing him in has provided Indianapolis with needed stability at that position.
But the reason to start Leonard in Week 18 is all about the future, giving the rookie some valuable experience and allowing the Colts to get an extended look at how he's progressed through his first season.
In three games, Leonard has completed 18-of-32 passes for 145 yards with an interception and a rushing touchdown.
Anthony Richardson remains on injured reserve and has been at practice. It remains to be seen whether or not the Colts will add him back to the 53-man roster for the final game of the season.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Game vs. Jaguars could be Phillip Rivers last start with Colts
Continue reading...
