Former TCU standout delivers knockout blow to Philip Rivers’ NFL comeback story
A former TCU player put a dagger in the NFL’s feel-good story Monday night.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters, a sixth-round draft pick in 2023, returned an interception 74 yards for a touchdown to seal a 48-27 road victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Winters picked off Colts quarterback Philip Rivers, who had been the talk of the NFL the past two weeks after coming out of retirement at 44 years old to try to help Indianapolis get to the playoffs after injuries to its top two quarterbacks.
Rivers played admirably, especially for someone who had been out of the league for four years since his retirement after the 2020 season, but the Colts lost to the Seahawks 18-16 last week and to the 49ers on Monday to fall to 8-7. They aren’t eliminated from playoff contention, but it’s close.
Rivers threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers with the interception.
Winters has emerged as a full-time starter in his third season, and he has been productive with 92 tackles (59 solo), including seven tackles for loss.
Monday’s interception was the first of his career.
Winters spent four years with the Horned Frogs, collecting 246 tackles, 12.5 sacks and three interceptions. He was a first-team all-Big 12 selection as a senior in 2022.
