INDIANAPOLIS (WNDU) – The Indianapolis Colts will start rookie quarterback Riley Leonard this Sunday at the Houston Texans, according to an ESPN report.
The move comes after the Colts lost six straight games and were eliminated from playoff contention.
44-year-old Philip Rivers, who came out of a five-year retirement, had started the previous three games for the team.
Leonard was selected by Indianapolis in the sixth round of the NFL Draft after leading Notre Dame to the national title game.
This will be his first career start after appearing in four games this season as a backup.
“He’s done a nice job of preparing to get better within the role that he’s been asked to have each week,” said Jim Bob Cooter, offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts. “Like I said, through the offseason, through training camp, all that stuff – he comes into the office, he puts in a great day’s work. He takes a ton of notes. When he gets his opportunity out there, whether it’s a practice or a walk-thru or a game or whatever it’s been, he wants to make sure that he’s prepared so that his teammates can count on him and he can go execute his role. He’s done a nice job of that.”
Kickoff for Sunday’s season finale at Houston is set for 1 p.m.
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