Colts quarterback Carson Wentz’s injuries have continued this season already, with the former MVP candidate facing two ankle sprains, and possibly another week on the sidelines.
Wentz was able to practice a bit on Friday, getting limited reps, and the Colts are hoping he looks good enough in the pre-game warm-ups to have a role on Sunday. Still, this ankle problem is one that will need to be watched for weeks to come, sources said.
Wentz was bowed back very awkwardly, resulting in considerable pain, in a Week 2 loss and unable to train for most of that week. Sources said one of his sprains was a high ankle sprain, which typically takes at least a few weeks to heal, and Wentz has already tried to make up for lost time in this new offense since acquiring it in the offseason.
Wentz missed most of training camp and preseason with a foot injury, which required surgery. He returned from that injury to the more upbeat part of the timeline, but was knocked down early in the season and couldn’t complete last week’s loss to the Rams. Several sources have indicated that a two-week absence would not be out of the question, although he made some moderate progress by the weekend after rest and rehabilitation.
The Colts used young Jacob Eason to end the loss, which included an ugly interception, and pivoted quarterbacks in practice in preparation for Sunday’s critical game with the rival Titans. Journeyman Brett Hundley has had the bulk of training reps all week, sources said, and he’s the Colts’ most experienced option at quarterback besides Wentz. Indianapolis has looked after Wentz this offseason – he thrived with Colts head coach Frank Reich when the two were in Philadelphia – but his injury history certainly played a part in the deal.
The Eagles would receive the Colts 2022 first-round pick if Wentz plays at least 75% of the Colts’ snaps or if he plays 70% of their snaps and the team makes it to the playoffs. That’s certainly already in question, with the injury likely to drag on until next month. Wentz missed four games in 2020, his season ended after 11 games in 2018 and missed three games the previous season, with health issues unfortunately being a big factor in his career so far.
Wentz started all 16 games as a rookie in 2016 after the Eagles advanced through the draft to select him, and he signed a huge contract a few years ago before his time in Philadelphia ended ugly.
Who replaces the Colts after the injury of Carson Wentz? Download the CBS Sports app to follow the 2021 season at every stage of the Indy route. If you already have the CBS Sports app, hit the Colts right now to get all the news and analysis from Indianapolis.