Legendary quarterback Phillip Rivers in line for potential NFL return, five years after retiring

This could be one of the wildest sports stories of the year if it comes to fruition.

Phillip Rivers, the legendary NFL quarterback who retired five years ago and is now a grandfather, will travel to Indianapolis this week and work out with the Colts, according to multiple reports.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport broke the news on Tuesday morning (AEDT) and confirmed that the 44-year-old future Hall of Famer could join the Colts practice squad.

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Philip Rivers during his final season Getty

It comes after quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the team’s 36-19 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

When he left the field, back-up playmaker Riley Leonard suffered a knee injury, while Anthony Richardson hasn’t played all season due to a facial fracture.

The quarterback crisis opens the door for Rivers to potentially complete the most unlikely of NFL comebacks, should things fall into place.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter said the Colts would need to put Rivers through his paces at training to determine whether he is fit to play, while the man himself would also need to figure out if he is willing to make a comeback half a decade on from bowing out.

The first-round pick from the 2004 draft spent 17 seasons in the league – 16 with the Chargers and one with Indianapolis – earning eight Pro Bowl selections.

He sits seventh all-time in NFL passing yards with 8134 and sixth all-time for passing touchdowns with 421 during his legendary career.

Rivers has 10 children and recently became a grandfather.

Since retiring, Rivers has become a high school head coach in Alabama.