The NFL world was stunned when the Colts signed 44-year-old QB Philip Riversto replace an injured Daniel Jones... and that includes the team's top wide receiver, Michael Pittman, who told TMZ Sports he was "shocked!"
While that was his first emotion, Pittman told us there was also excitement about the move, especially since Rivers was his first quarterback after entering the league in 2020 (it was PR's last season, until now, of course).
"He really taught me everything that I learned about being a pro and about routine and everything," Pittman told Babcock.
"So I feel like there is a lot of love there. I'm excited for him. He's just like, he's fired up. He still feels like the same young guy that he was in 2020 and we'll see what transpires."
Warren Moon once started a game at 44 years old -- something Philip Rivers may also do come Sunday -- and the Pro Football Hall of Famer is reacting to the shocking signing, and offering advice, 'cause playing quarterback is never easy, especially in your mid-40s!
"We've seen guys like Joe Flacco come back and do great coming out of retirement, but he wasn't in retirement very long," Moon told TMZ Sports this week. "In this situation, I'm a little more alarmed because he's been away from the game for so long."
Philip Rivers can't wait to get back on an NFL field ... but his wife, on the other hand, is a little concerned about him going out there at 44 years old -- the new Colt admitted on Wednesday she's nervous about his safety and well-being on the gridiron.
The NFL quarterback -- who signed with Indianapolis' practice squad after Daniel Jones' season-ending injury -- spoke with the media minutes ago ... his first time at the NFL podium since he retired in 2021.
When Rivers, 44, was asked about his family's reaction to his comeback ... he revealed his wife, Tiffany, is anxious.
A security guard working the Jacksonville Jaguars game vs. the Indianapolis Colts found himself closer to the action than he could have ever expected ... getting sent to the ground after wide receiver Michael Pittman was shoved into him.
The incident went down with a little over 10 minutes to go in the third quarter. Indy quarterback Riley Leonard found Pittman sitting in the end zone ... a touchdown that was ultimately called back due to offensive pass interference.
Before that call, Jaguars defensive back Montaric Brown gave Pittman a healthy shove after the catch -- sending him right into the stadium worker, who wound up on the wet field.
The Indianapolis Colts and their newly acquired cornerback Sauce Gardner are trying to cheer up a young Jets fan after he saw his favorite player traded away ... with the org. and star DB hooking the kid up with some free swag!
Video of the young fan's reaction went viral on social media yesterday after dad told his boy New York had shipped Gardner out of town, and to the Colts, in exchange for two first-round draft picks.
As you could imagine, the news wasn't received well ... but don't worry, there's a happy ending here.
Jim Irsay's family has announced its plans to auction off the "majority" of the late owner's memorabilia collection in 2026 ... featuring countless items that would make most museums jealous.
The Irsay family told alocal outlet Thursday the "decision was not made lightly, but with deep reflection and love for the legacy he built."
"Our dad was a passionate collector, driven not by possession, but by a profound appreciation for the beauty, history and cultural resonance of the items he curated. From iconic instruments to handwritten lyrics by legends to rare historical artifacts and documents, each piece in the collection tells a story – and he was always so excited to share those stories with the world."
Love was in the air, and on the field, at Lucas Oil Stadium ... an Indianapolis Colts' cheerleader got engaged after her boyfriend proposed right on the turf during one of the squad's performances!
The cute moment went down on Sunday in Indy during the Colts' Week 6 showdown against the Arizona Cardinals.
As the Colts cheerleading team was mid-routine, performing near the endzone in the second half, a man wearing a "Marry Me" custom Colts jersey snuck up behind Mika.
Jim Irsay's Indiana mansion -- the one featuring a pool, a playground, a putting green and a tennis court -- has just sold ... nearly four months after the Indianapolis Colts owner passed away.
TMZ Sports is told the Carmel property ended up selling on Monday for $11.75 million.
Eric Ebron says if his old Colts team wants to return to its winning ways ... it's gotta make some front office changes -- ASAP.
The ex-Indianapolis tight end didn't mince words during a sit-down with TMZ Sports this week ... saying he believes the guys in charge of the Colts' rosters have screwed things up since Andrew Luck left the team in 2019.
"After Andrew Luck retired," Ebron said, "I don't think we've made a good decision yet as an organization."
Anthony Richardson's season is off to a rough start ... 'cause he was removed from a preseason game after a tackle left his finger twisted to a nasty angle.
The Indianapolis Colts QB and his squad were facing off with the Baltimore Ravens Thursday when halfway through the first quarter linebacker David Ojabo sacked the two-year NFL vet.
While it looks like an average hard hit on the gridiron, Richardson was lifted from the game shortly after this tackle ... and, when you see his finger, it's clear why.
Pat McAfeeisn't holding back after John Mellencamp crapped all over his antics at Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals in Indiana ... telling the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer to "shut the f*** up."
The former Colts punter took time to respond to the 73-year-old at the start of "The Pat McAfee Show" Friday morning ... and he ripped the statement to shreds from top to bottom.
Pat McAfee's WWE-style promo against famous New York Knicks fans during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals isn't sitting well with John Mellencamp... who seems to be calling out the former Colts punter for his antics -- dubbing it "poor behavior."
The 73-year-old shared ahead of Game 5 between the Pacers and Knicks that he was disappointed "Hoosier hospitality" was not extended to the NY guests at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday.
"I was embarrassed when somebody, under whose direction I don't know, called out some of the people who had made the trip from New York to support their team -- and in turn, support our team," Mellencamp wrote on X.
The city of Indianapolis is still reeling from the shocking death of Colts owner Jim Irsay... and that includes legendary wide receiver Reggie Wayne-- who broke down in tears while reflecting on his boss/friend during a press conference.
Wayne -- who currently serves as the team's wide receivers coach -- met with the media amid voluntary practices ... and he was asked what he wants his current group of players to know about Irsay.
"He would have did anything for anybody," Wayne said as he grew emotional. "He would have gave the clothes off his back."
Late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay will be honored with a private ceremony next week, the team announced Wednesday.
The NFL franchise revealed two events will be held to remember the 65-year-old -- one for his closest family members and friends ... and another for the public, which will be held at a later date.
Tributes have been pouring in following the shocking death of Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay ... with plenty of former players, coaches and loved ones taking time to remember the 65-year-old -- including the team's Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Peyton Manning.
The 49-year-old took to his Instagram to speak on Irsay's passing ... calling him an "incredibly generous and passionate owner, and I will always be indebted to him for giving me my start in the NFL."
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"His love for the Colts and the city of Indy was unmatched. His impact on the players who played for him will not be forgotten."
9:30 AM PT -- Tyreek Hill has now weighed in on the video ... and he made it clear he didn't have a problem with it.
"Should've left it up @Colts," he wrote on his X page, "this was funny."
6:52 AM PT -- The Colts just released a statement on the deleted video, explaining they took it down "because it exceeded our rights with Microsoft and included an insensitive clip involving Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill."
"We sincerely apologize to Microsoft and Tyreek," the team added.
The Indianapolis Colts appeared to poke fun at Tyreek Hill's infamous 2024 run-in with cops in their schedule release video Wednesday ... and fans were so outraged by the imagery, the NFL org. ended up pulling the clip down just minutes after it posted it.
Indianapolis Colts
The vid -- which was Minecraft-themed -- was supposed to be a whimsical way for the Colts to show their fans who their favorite team would be playing in 2025-26.
