In July, former quarterback Philip Rivers was asked if he could still play an NFL game, during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show .

"Oh yeah. I'm a little heavier than I was, but I could get through a game," Rivers replied, adding with a laugh. "Now, I may need a wheelchair the next morning."

But now the sports world is absorbing the news that Rivers, a grandfather at age 44, has signed a practice contract with the Indianapolis Colts. The team recently lost its starting quarterback, Daniel Jones, for the rest of the season, due to injury, endangering its playoff hopes.

Here are some key numbers that provide some context into Rivers' return:

21: Years since Rivers' first season.

"I mean, that's pretty ridiculous to think," says Seth Wickersham, a senior writer at ESPN. But Wi

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