Riley Leonard is expected to start for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in the regular-season finale against the Houston Texans. If he gets hurt, will the AFC South back-to-back champs have the opportunity to take on Philip Rivers one more time before he calls it a career for good?
Nope. Rivers’ playing days are officially over following a Week 17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Shane Steichen announced on Friday that Seth Henigan will be Leonard’s backup, meaning both Rivers and Anthony Richardson Sr. have likely played their last down as members of the Colts.
Henigan, an undrafted rookie this past April out of Memphis, originally signed with Jacksonville and was on the Jaguars’ practice squad for a portion of the 2025 season before being picked up ahead of Week 18’s battle with Houston. Richardson, who returned to practice this week after dealing with an eye injury, still is expected to remain on the injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
Leonard, a sixth-round pick from Notre Dame fresh off the injury report, will make his first career start against the Texans’ No. 1 total defense. With a win, the Texans would finish with 12 victories, securing their best season since 2012 under Gary Kubiak.
Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT. CBS with Ian Eagle and three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt will be on the call.