Colts’ QB Rivers to call it a career after 17 seasons
Eight-time Pro Bowler had 134 wins
Quarterback Philip Rivers announced his retirement after 17 NFL seasons following one year with Indianapolis.
The 39-yearold spent his first 16 seasons with the San Diego/los Angeles Chargers after being acquired in a draft-day trade that sent top pick Eli Manning to the New York Giants in 2004.
Never playing in a Super Bowl was one of the few glaring omissions on Rivers’ otherwise remarkable resume. He spent his first two seasons backing up Drew Brees before taking over as the Chargers’ starter when Brees left in free agency.
Over the next 15 years, Rivers never missed a game, starting all 252 including the playoffs. He played on a torn ACL in the AFC title game after the 2007 season.
Rivers, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, won 134 games — No. 2 among quarterbacks without a Super Bowl ring — and is eighth all-time. Only Tom Brady (230), twotime Super Bowl champions Peyton Manning (186) and Ben Roethlisberger (156), Brees (172) and Hall of Famers Brett Favre (186), John Elway (148) and Dan Marino (147) have won more regular-season games.
Rivers ranked fifth in completions (5,277), yards passing (63,440) and TD passes (421).
This season, through five games, Rivers threw five interceptions and four TD passes. Over the final 12, he had 22 TD passes and six interceptions. His completion percentage (68 percentage) was his second highest, and he led the Colts (11-5) to a playoff berth.
He played the final seven games with an injured toe on his right foot.
Last summer, the North Carolina State product accepted the coaching job at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, where he hopes to coach his sons — just like his father coached him.
■ Chiefs: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes remained in the NFL’S concussion protocol but practiced in a limited capacity, raising hopes the reigning Super Bowl MVP can play in Sunday. The return-toplay protocol has five steps. Coach Andy Reid didn’t specify which step Mahomes is in, but the work Reid described coincides with the fourth step. Also, running back Clyde Edwards-helaire (ankle) and wide receiver Sammy Watkins (calf ), both sidelined since getting injured in Week 15, practiced.
■ Ravens: Left tackle Ronnie Stanley should be ready for training camp, coach John Harbaugh said. The 26-year-old Bishop Gorman product is two months removed from surgery after sustaining a Week 8 broken ankle. Pro Football Focus’ No. 2 pass blocker before going down, the 2019 All-pro will be entering the second season of a five-year, $98.75 million deal.
■ Lions: New Orleans tight ends coach Dan Campbell signed a six-year deal to be Detroit’s coach. The 44-yearold has 11 years of NFL experience as a player and 11 as an assistant coach. He played for the Lions from 2006 to 2008 and is the first former Detroit player to coach the team since Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt from 1967 to 1972.
■ Buccaneers: Wide receiver Antonio Brown (knee) did not practice, linebacker Kevin Minter was activated from the reserve/covid-19 list, and running back Ronald Jones II (quadriceps) said he is “feeling better than last week.”