Philip Rivers reaches 40,000 passing yards

— -- JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers reached a couple of impressive milestones Sunday.

He became the 17th quarterback in NFL history with 40,000 career passing yards.

Rivers also moved into 12th all time in passing touchdowns with 274, eclipsing Hall of Famer Joe Montana with three touchdown passes in the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Rivers reached the 40,000-yard career passing mark on a 23-yard completion to receiver Dontrelle Inman with 4:31 remaining in the second quarter. He finished the Chargers' 31-25 win with 300 yards passing, and two of his four touchdown passes were to tight end Antonio Gates.

Rivers now has 40,166 career passing yards.

He reached the mark in his 159th career game, passing the milestone in the fourth-fewest games in NFL history.

Only Drew Brees (152 games), Dan Marino (153 games) and Peyton Manning (154) accomplished the feat in fewer games.