With three injured QBs, the Colts are unsure who’ll start Sunday vs. Seahawks

The Indianapolis Colts’ 2025 season changed dramatically in Sunday’s 36-19 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, as quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles tendon that will sideline him for the remainder of the year. Now 8-5 and without their starting quarterback, it is no longer a given that the Colts will make the playoffs. Jones’ replacement, rookie Riley Leonard, is also not 100% healthy.

According to ESPN, Leonard is suffering from a knee ligament strain that’s taking him “week to week.” The Colts don’t know if he will be able to start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Coach Shane Steichen told reporters Monday that Leonard is dealing with a right knee injury but will “hopefully” be available for Week 15. How Leonard performs in practice this week should determine whether he makes his first career start.

With Anthony Richardson still on injured reserve after fracturing his orbital bone and Leonard nursing a banged up knee, the Colts’ only other quarterback is Brett Rypienwho is on the practice squad. This is one of the reasons why the Colts are to bring Philip Rivers, 44, for a workout. Rivers was the last quarterback to lead the Colts to the playoffs, going 11-5 in his lone season with Indy in 2020.

As for Leonard, he completed 18 of 29 passes for 145 yards and an interception in his first major NFL action Sunday, and also rushed for a touchdown. The sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame led the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff national championship game last year, where they fell to the Ohio State Buckeyes. In 16 games played, he completed 66.7% of his passes for 2,861 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Leonard also had 906 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground.

The Colts have one of the toughest remaining schedules in the NFL. After playing in Seattle, they host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16 and the Jaguars in Week 17, before finishing the season in Houston against the Texans. According to SportsLine, the Colts have a 6.7% chance of winning the division and a 45.7% chance of making the playoffs.