Most NFL fans know about the Indianapolis Colts' quarterback situation. Starter Daniel Jones will miss the rest of the season and most of 2026 after tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 14. Backup Anthony Richardson has been out since Week 6 after breaking an orbital bone.
To help the team try to keep making a playoff push for the rest of the season, Indy signed Philip Rivers. He hasn't played in five seasons, is not fleet of foot, and had diminishing arm strength in the last season he played, which was 2020 with the Colts.
But based on Indianapolis's final injury report for Week 15 against Seattle, the quarterback position won't be the greatest concern for Colts fans. Instead, it is the defense against quarterback Sam Darnold and the rest of the Seahawks offense. Indy could be faced with the most daunting of tasks: Hoping Philip Rivers can outscore Seattle in his first game back in five seasons.
Indianapolis Colts' final injury report for Week 15 is good for Sam Darnold
Indy already knew that cornerback Charvarius Ward would be out as he suffered his third concussion of the season in Week 14. He was placed on injured reserve for the second time in 2025, and he will miss at least the rest of the regular season.
The likelihood that fellow cornerback Sauce Gardner was going to be able to play versus Seattle was always remote. He suffered a calf injury in Week 13 and was expected to miss several games. After the Colts watched Jones tear his Achilles tendon, any rush to have Gardner play probably went away. Gardner has been ruled out for Week 15.
Missing two cornerbacks of the caliber of Ward and Gardner was always going to make Sam Darnold's job easier, even though Indianapolis's depth in the secondary has been solid this year. But Indy missing DeForest Bucker again would be crippling.
Steichen rules out: Sauce Gardner (calf), Braden Smith (concussion/neck), Anthony Gould (ankle). DeForest Buckner will not be activated.
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) December 12, 2025
The defensive tackle has been on injured reserve with a neck injury, and the team opened his 21-day window for return after Week 14. He was limited in practice ahead of the Seattle game, and he won't play either.
Also ruled out is right tackle Braden Smith (neck/concussion). Rooke Jalen Travis will start in his place. Wide receiver Anthony Gould has also been ruled out with a foot injury.
The Seattle Seahawks are only expected to be missing rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo. He has yet to be truly explosive this season, however.