The San Francisco 49ers are headed to Indianapolis for a Week 16 matchup against the Colts, and they now officially know who they'll be facing under center. While it was expected that quarterback Philip Rivers would make his second consecutive start after coming out of retirement, Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that on Monday.
Colts HC Shane Steichen told reporters that Philip Rivers will start again next Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 15, 2025
Rivers and the Colts are coming off a narrow 18-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Indianapolis held a late lead before Seattle sealed the win with a late field goal.
The Colts signed the 44-year-old quarterback after starter Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Rivers had not played in the NFL since the 2020 season before returning to action last week.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan recently expressed confidence in Rivers' ability to make an NFL comeback.
"Well, when he played, he was one of the best quarterbacks of all time," Shanahan explained. "The way, as you get older, I think mobility leaves big time, [but] arm strength doesn't always. And when you have guys that are at an elite level, who will play in the pocket, and have the size to hang in there, and still have arm strength to make the throws that you need to make, that gives guys like that an opportunity or a chance to be able to pull off something like this."
Against Seattle, Rivers completed 18 of 27 passes for 120 yards, one touchdown, and one interception despite having just a week to prepare.
Meanwhile, the 49ers are riding high after a 37-24 home victory over the Tennessee Titans, improving their record to 10-4. San Francisco will look to extend its winning streak to five games when it takes on the Colts, who fell to 8-6 with the loss.
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