Report: Colts to start rookie QB Riley Leonard over Philip Rivers in Week 18

December 30, 2025 - 9:58am

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)

It looks to be the end of an era for Philip Rivers in Indianapolis.

The Colts are expected to start rookie quarterback Riley Leonard over Philip Rivers on Sunday against the Houston Texans, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported on Tuesday.

Rivers, 44, has started the last three games since coming out of retirement to fill in for starting QB Daniel Jones after he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 14. Leonard was also dealing with a knee injury during this time.

In Rivers' three starts this season, the Colts have gone 0-3, and now sit at 8-8 on the season following an 8-2 start.

Indianapolis now turns to Leonard for the final game of the regular season, after the Colts were officially eliminated from playoff contention last week following the Texans' 20-16 win against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday.