Fans of St. Michael Catholic (AL) and NC State football have been waiting several weeks now for news on when four-star quarterback Gunner Rivers would be returning to the field.
At long last, it appears that his comeback is right around the corner.
The son of longtime NFL quarterback and current St. Michael Catholic head coach Philip Rivers, Gunner suffered a leg injury during the Cardinals' season-opening loss to Battle Ground Academy (TN). Six weeks later, it appears that Gunner will finally get back onto the field this Friday night, Oct. 16.
Ben Thomas of AL.com posted a video of Gunner to X on Monday, showing the Cardinals' long-time starter jogging out to the field with a knee brace on his right leg.
St. Michael Catholic is playing Houston
Academy (AL) on Monday in a makeup for a game that was rescheduled from last week due to Hurricane Isaias. Thomas reported Philip Rivers stated Gunner would play a series or two in the game.
Look who is back. N.C. State commit Gunner Rivers dressed for the first time since his season-opening injury. Philip Rivers said he will play a series or 2 in today’s makeup game against Houston Academy. pic.twitter.com/LOW27zAsGf
— Ben Thomas (@BenThomasPreps) October 12, 2026
With Gunner sidelined with the injury, the Cardinals are 3-3 on the year. They started the year with three straight losses but have rattled off three consecutive wins behind the play of junior quarterback Marshal Pitre (823 yards, 6 touchdowns) and junior running back Nygel Mitchell (1,097 yards, 13 touchdowns).
They last played on Oct. 2, beating Faith Academy (AL) 39-21.
According to 247Sports, Gunner is ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 1 player out of Alabama for the 2027 class. The site ranks him as the No. 43 overall player and No. 4 quarterback prospect.
Like his dad did before him, Gunner is committed to NC State, announcing his commitment to the Wolfpack on Feb. 23.
Going into this season, he was a three-year starter for the Cardinals. As a freshman, he threw for 3,077 yards and 29 touchdowns, following that up with a sophomore season that saw him pass for 3,947 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Last season, he threw a career-high 46 touchdowns to go with 3,176 yards. Before his injury in the season opener, he was 4-of-5 passing against the BGA defense, finishing with 85 yards and a touchdown.
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 4-star son of former NFL QB returning to action after injury six weeks ago
