The Indianapolis Colts have signed Philip Rivers, 44, to their practice squad as injuries have sidelined both starting and backup quarterbacks. This decision comes shortly after head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that starting quarterback Daniel Jones would be out for the rest of the season due to a torn right Achilles tendon. Backup quarterback Riley Leonard also sustained a right knee injury, prompting the Colts to seek Rivers’ experience.
Rivers, who last played for the Colts in a playoff loss following the 2020 season, announced his retirement in January 2021. His return to the team, albeit as a practice squad member, marks a notable development in a season that has seen significant changes for the Colts.
In baseball news, Kyle Schwarber has agreed to a five-year contract worth $150 million with the Philadelphia Phillies. The outfielder had a remarkable season, leading the National League with 56 home runs and also achieving a major league-high 132 RBIs. Schwarber’s impressive performance helped the Phillies clinch their second consecutive NL East title. Notably, he set a record for left-handed batters, hitting 23 home runs against left-handed pitching, surpassing the previous record of 22 held by Stan Musial and Matt Olson.
Meanwhile, Edwin Díaz, a three-time All-Star pitcher, has agreed to a three-year deal worth $69 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The agreement comes as the Dodgers look to strengthen their bullpen after a challenging previous season. Díaz, known for his fastball and slider, became a fan favorite while playing for the New York Mets and is expected to bring significant talent to the Dodgers.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Shohei Ohtani has been named The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the fourth time, tying him with legends Lance Armstrong, LeBron James, and Tiger Woods. Ohtani received 29 out of 47 votes from AP sports journalists. His exceptional performance contributed to the Los Angeles Dodgers winning their second consecutive World Series title.
In the Champions League, Liverpool secured a crucial victory against Inter Milan, winning 1-0 thanks to an 88th-minute penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai, who stepped up in the absence of Mohamed Salah. This win comes as part of a series of exciting matches, including Barcelona’s 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayern Munich’s 3-1 win against Sporting Lisbon.
In the NBA, Jalen Brunson scored 35 points as the New York Knicks defeated the Toronto Raptors 117-101, advancing to the NBA Cup semifinals for the first time. The Knicks, who previously struggled in this event, will face Orlando in the semifinals.
In a more contentious arena, NASCAR Chairman Jim France has testified in a federal antitrust lawsuit brought by Michael Jordan regarding team charters. The lawsuit alleges that NASCAR engages in monopolistic practices. France has maintained his stance against granting permanent charters to teams, a point highlighted during his testimony.
Finally, FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing formal complaints regarding his political neutrality, following his public support for Donald Trump and a peace prize awarded to the former president. The London-based human rights organization FairSquare has requested investigations into Infantino’s conduct, although FIFA has not commented on the ongoing case.
As notable figures in sports continue to make headlines, the landscape remains dynamic, with significant developments across football, baseball, and basketball capturing the attention of fans worldwide.
