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According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback Philip Rivers is expected to still start for the Horseshoe, but he’s playing through a really bad ‘turf toe’ injury—which will presumably require offseason surgery:
From @NFLGameDay: #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa is expected to start for Miami, while #Colts QB Philip Rivers will likely need surgery following the season to repair a plantar plate rupture. But he’ll play on the injury, which could also be described as a really bad turf toe. pic.twitter.com/rIAOWJuvmE
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 6, 2020
The veteran quarterback injured his toe in the second half of the Colts’ comeback victory during Week 11 against the Green Bay Packers.
He played through the toe injury last weekend again, and All-Pro offensive guard Quenton Nelson described it as “a really bad problem” earlier this week in Rivers’ foot.
Perhaps having a high pain tolerance, Rivers really didn’t show any ill effects during last weekend’s blowout loss against the Tennessee Titans—as he wasn’t really the real reason for Indianapolis’ collective struggles.
Rivers completed 24 of 42 pass attempts (57.1%) for 295 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, an interception, and a passer rating of 84.9.
The 17-year veteran has been incredibly durable throughout his lengthy NFL career, having made 235 consecutive starts—as a modern day NFL ironman.
Despite the painful turf toe injury, that impressive streak doesn’t appear to be in jeopardy for Rivers and the Colts during the remainder of the season—although it looks like it will require significant offseason attention.
Rivers is set to become a free agent again after signing a 1-year, $25 million deal this past offseason with Indianapolis.