The Colts on Wednesday signed quarterback Brett Rypien to the practice squad. The roster move comes after the Colts placed backup quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. on injured reserve on Monday; Richardson sustained a fractured orbital bone during pregame band work on Sunday.
Head coach Shane Steichen said on Monday that Richardson will "miss some time" but didn't have a specific timeline for his return. Richardson will miss a minimum of four games while on injured reserve.
Rypien was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted rookie in 2019. Rypien spent time on both the Broncos practice squad and active roster for the four seasons he was in Denver, appearing in eight games and starting three of them. In 2023, Rypien signed with the Los Angeles Rams and appeared in two games (one start) before he was waived. From there, he spent time with the Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets. He was with the Chicago Bears for the 2024 preseason but was released prior to the start of the season. Rypien then signed with the Minnesota Vikings, but did not appear in a game in 2024.
Most recently, Rypien was a member of the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster in September following starting quarterback Joe Burrow's injury, but was released after the Bengals traded for Joe Flacco.
In 11 career games played (four starts), Rypien has 98 completions for 950 yards and four touchdowns, with nine interceptions.
"Excited about him, obviously a guy that's been doing it for a long time," head coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday. "Heard a lot of great things about him. He was in Minnesota there for a little bit with Daniel (Jones). Daniel's got great things to say about him and his preparation, his work. Obviously played some good ball there in Denver."
Mark Rypien, Brett's uncle, was also an NFL quarterback. A sixth-round draft pick in 1986, Mark spent most of his career with the Washington Redskins (Commanders). In 2001, Mark unretired and signed with the Colts after not playing since 1998 and was the backup to Peyton Manning. Mark appeared in a total of four games that season for the Colts.
The Colts currently have Daniel Jones and Riley Leonard on their 53-man roster; Steichen said Leonard will serve as the team's backup for Week 7.
As a member of the practice squad, Rypien must be elevated to the Colts' gameday roster in order to be active. Per NFL rules, an emergency third quarterback must be on a team's 53-man roster and cannot be elevated from the practice squad to active roster.
