The expectation that the Seattle Seahawks would face 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers on Sunday not looks like a reality.

The Indianapolis Colts signed Rivers to their 53-man roster on Saturday. Multiple reports have said the Colts plan to start Rivers against the Seahawks.

Seahawks Injury Report: 1 out, 3 questionable vs Colts

Rivers had been retired for more than four seasons and last played in an NFL game during the AFC wild card round on Jan. 9, 2021, before the Colts signed the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist to their practice squad earlier this week. Rivers is reportedly getting the start for the playoff-contending Colts after starting quarterback Daniel Jones went down with a season-ending Achilles tear last week.

Being activated means Rivers’ Hall of Fame clock will reset and he won’t be eligible for induction until 2031.

Rivers is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and twice finished in the top five of Offensive Player of the Year voting. He has 63,440 passing yards, 421 passing touchdowns and 209 interceptions while completing 64.9% of his passes over 244 games in 17 pro seasons.

A big reason the Colts brought in Rivers is because of his familiarity with head coach Shane Steichen’s offense. Steichen was on the Los Angeles Chargers’ coaching staff for six seasons while Rivers was the starting quarterback, including four seasons as quarterbacks coach from 2016-19 and a stint as interim offensive coordinator in 2019.

More: What to expect if Colts start Philip Rivers at QB vs. Seattle Seahawks

The veteran quarterback will have a tough task in front of him if he makes his first start in nearly five years against one of the NFL’s top defenses.

The Seahawks are allowing the second-fewest points per game in the NFL (17.4) and have the fourth-most sacks (41). They’re also tied for the fifth-most takeaways (21) and have allowed the sixth-fewest yards per game (288.2).

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Rivers split first-team reps with rookie Riley Leonard in practice this week and that both could play Sunday.

Seattle Seahawks coverage

• Brock: How rookie defensive lineman can fit in Seahawks’ defense
• Stacy Rost: 2 numbers that matter for Seattle Seahawks vs Colts
• Daniel Jeremiah: Seahawks rookie Grey Zabel ‘an elite guard now’
• The Seahawks’ paths to an NFC West title and No. 1 seed
• Date and time for Seahawks’ Week 17 game at Carolina announced