7.30.21 – Wentz out “indefinitely” as Colts evaluate QB and Eagles hope for heightened value after trade
As if Colts and Eagles fans were not worried enough about protocols and health concerns limiting their starting quarterback’s playing time this season, Carson Wentz, just suffered another injury and is now out “indefinitely” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Added Concerns for 2 Fan Bases
Just Wednesday at the start of training camp, Carson Wentz was pressed about his availability to play this season due to his COVID-19 vaccination status. Both Eagles and Colts fans have invested interest in Wentz’s health considering how Philadelphia is up for a first round pick if the Indianapolis quarterback plays in 70% of games this season per details of his trade.
Although Wentz politely dismissed the question stating that it is “a personal decision,” the NFL’s latest healthy and safety protocols may reveal the answer itself considering that it states all unvaccinated players “must wear masks at all times.” As Heavy’s Eagles Insider, Mike Greger, put it, “the reality of the situation for the Eagles is the future of the franchise is tied to Wentz’s health.”
Plague of Injuries
From Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck and Philip Rivers, the Colts have been plagued with quarterback injuries for over a decade. To have an uneasy feeling about the durability of Wentz at the start of training camp is more than understandable. Wentz has only played two full seasons due to injuries but head coach, Frank Reich, who is unable to coach in-person due to COVID-19 at the moment, is confident in his quarterback after working with him in Philadelphia as the offensive coordinator.
“When you’re in the role of head coach, you take a lot of responsibility for it,” Reich told ESPN in March. “But that’s what you have to do. You have to be willing to stick your neck out and have some conviction about things. You don’t have to make every decision a make-or-break decision, but there are certain defining moments or big decisions. This is one of those big decisions, but I think as an organization, we handled it the right way.”
Fortunately, it does not look to be a long term concern as NFL Network Insider, Ian Rapoport, tweets, “All options are on the table, including a minor surgical procedure. The hope is to avoid it, but it’s possible. Either way, if Carson Wentz misses games it’s not likely to be many.” Promising news for Colts fans but Eagles fans still sit on that 75% that tickets them a first round pick.
Next Man Up
The length of time Wentz will be out is still to be determined which leads the Colts to look at other options under center. Fourth-round 2020 NFL Draft pick, Jacob Eason, looks to be the next quarterback up. 107.5 The Fan reports that Eason completed “8-of-8 of his passes to Marlon Mack, Noah Togiai, Mike Strachan 2x, Ashton Dulin, Michael Pittman and Jack Doyle 2x.” The station’s high remarks come from reporter, Kevin Bowen, who says the backup earned a shot at some reps with the starters by the end of practice where he completed 3-of-3. According to Schefter’s tweet, Eason continued to practice with the starters Friday as Wentz undergoes further testing on his foot injury.
When asked about Eason, The Washington Post quotes Offensive coordinator, Marcus Brady, saying that they “just want to continue to get him reps….He made some good plays, he made some bad plays, and we need to make sure that he’s learning from those mistakes.”
As 2020 NFL Draft prospect, Heavy NFL Draft Expert, Vinnie Somma, says that Eason’s “a coach and front office with an old school approach to what they believe a quarterback should look like will likely fall in love with Eason’s attributes.” Eason’s best collegiate career highs came in 2019 throwing 23 touchdowns with only eight interceptions and a nearly 144 passer rating.
Behind Eason, is this year’s sixth round draft pick, Sam Ehlinger, out of Texas. With both quarterbacks at the start of their NFL career, there looks to be some competition. Last year, the rookie threw for 26 touchdowns and five interceptions in a 7-3 season with the Longhorns.
The Colts have another chance to evaluate their quarterback situation at Saturday’s scheduled practice. Sunday will be the team’s first off-day of this training camp where the hope is that rest brings more answers to what the immediate future holds at QB.
Stephanie Otey 