If there is one person not in the Colts-Philip Rivers camp, it’s Ryan Clark.
On Friday morning’s “First Take” on ESPN, Clark ranted over the Colts decision to sign Rivers, the 44-year-old retired quarterback, to their practice squad this week with the plan for him to possibly play against the Seahawks on Sunday as team fights for a spot in the playoffs.
Clark described the decision to be completely “irresponsible” of the Colts.
“I believe this is incompetent and I also believe it is irresponsible. This is not Michael Jordan coming back to play basketball after three years off for the Washington Wizards,” Clark said. “This is a man in Phillip Rivers, who was always a stationary target, taking five years off to coach high school football and then coming back to play against the Seattle Seahawks, who would get after your keister if you were freaking Michael Vick.”
Ryan Clark on the Colts potentially starting Phillip Rivers: “… I believe this is incompetent. And I also believe it is irresponsible. This is not Michael Jordan coming back to play basketball after three years off for the Washington Wizards. This is a man in Phillip Rivers who… pic.twitter.com/rRhJtUhT8Z
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 12, 2025
The Colts had their hands tied after Daniel Jones went down with a non-contact Achilles injury last week in the first half in a AFC South showdown against the Jaguars and rookie Riley Leonard reported having a knee injury. Additionally, initial backup quarterback Anthony Richardson remains on injured reserve with an orbital fracture.
Leonard is on track to be available on Sunday, but coach Shane Steichen isn’t making any proclamations about a starter just yet.
Philip Rivers at his opening press conference for the Colts this week. Indianapolis Colts
“The one thing that Riley Leonard can do cause I watched him do it for 15 games last year is get out of the way,” Clark continued. “By the way, the last five years, he’s been playing football. He’s been working out. He’s been preparing to be an NFL quarterback. Philip Rivers has not. I think Philip Rivers had a Hall of Fame career. I don’t believe he’s a first ballot Hall of Famer, but when you walk into a stadium to play Philip Rivers, you had to tighten up the chin strap because you knew he was going to compete. If I’m the Seattle Seahawks, I want to see him move off the spot and I want to see it from every point that he passes the football. No matter how much you hand it to Jonathan Taylor, I don’t care how great you think your defense can play, Philip Rivers should not be starting this game.
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“And if he comes out and he plays well and he stays healthy, I’m not going to retract this statement because it’s a bad decision to put him out there….Philip ain’t wrong. Shane Steichen and the Colts are.”
After losing three consecutive games, Indianapolis has fallen behind the AFC South-leading Jaguars and Texans and enter Week 14 on the playoff bubble.
The final four regular-season games will be crucial for Indianapolis. Following the Seahawks on Sunday evening, the Colts will face the 49ers, Jaguars and Texans.