The Colts are adding reinforcements at quarterback before Sundayâs showdown with the Chargers. On Wednesday, the team announced it had signed veteran Brett Rypien to the practice squad.
Head coach Shane Steichen later announced that Rypien will serve as the No. 3 quarterback behind Daniel Jones and rookie Riley Leonard.
The usual backup, Anthony Richardson, was placed on injured reserve last week with a fractured orbital bone.
Rypien, 29, joined the Bengalsâ practice squad in August and was elevated to the active roster as Jake Browningâs backup after Joe Burrow landed on injured reserve with a toe injury. Rypien was released last week after Cincinnati traded for Joe Flacco.
Well-Traveled Veteran Last Started in 2023
Rypien has bounced around since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Rypien has played in 11 games with four starts with the Broncos, Rams and Bengals since 2020, throwing for 950 yards, four touchdowns and nine interceptions on 58.3% passing.
Rypien has also spent time on the practice squad for the Seahawks, Jets, Bears and Vikings.
His last pass attempt came in 2023 with the Rams. Starting in place of the injured Matthew Stafford, Rypien was 13-of-28 for 130 yards and an interception in a 20-3 loss to the Packers. The Rams waived him just days later.
He came off the bench late in Cincinnatiâs 48-10 loss to the Vikings in Week 3. He did not attempt a pass but was sacked once.
Leonard Elevated to Backup QB Role
Richardson will miss at least the next four games with an orbital fracture he suffered prior to last Sundayâs game against the Cardinals. The 2023 first-rounder was warming up when an elastic workout band that heâd attached to a pole snapped and struck him in the face.
After starting 15 games over the last two seasons, Richardson has served as the backup to Jones. Heâs attempted two passes for nine yards in two games this year.
With Richardson out, Leonard, a sixth-round pick from Notre Dame, was elevated to the backup role. He has yet to attempt an NFL pass after totaling 3,767 yards and 38 touchdowns as a senior with the Fighting Irish in 2024.
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