The NFL revising its COVID-19 protocols yet again may allow the Colts to dodge a bullet. Carson Wentz is unvaccinated and tested positive Tuesday, but Frank Reich said he would start Sunday if he is asymptomatic, Stephen Holder of The Athletic tweets. Current Colts backup Sam Ehlinger would start if Wentz is experiencing symptoms at that point.
Reich has also remained in contact with the Colts’ 2020 starter, Philip Rivers. The two discussed the current Colts QB bind, Zak Keefer of The Athletic tweets. However, it does not seem like Rivers will come out of retirement to replace Wentz. Reich said nothing is developing on that front.
Rivers, 40, retired after spending last season with the Colts, but the current high school coach has said he would consider a return to join a contender. He was open to joining the Saints once Jameis Winston went down earlier this season. In his one Colts season, Rivers completed 68% of his passes and finished with a 24-to-11 TD-INT ratio. The Colts traded for Wentz not long after Rivers’ retirement.
Had the NFL not revised its protocols for a second time this month, Wentz would be shut down for Week 17 due to his positive test. Previously, unvaccinated players who tested positive were forced into 10-day quarantines. The NFL has reduced that to five, opening the door for Wentz to play Sunday. A sixth-round rookie, Ehlinger took first-team reps for a stretch after Wentz went down with a foot injury during training camp.
The Colts received more good news regarding their COVID-19 situation Wednesday. They activated offensive line starters Quenton Nelson and Mark Glowinski, along with cornerback Rock Ya-Sin and defensive end Kemoko Turay. However, right tackle Braden Smith is now on Indianapolis’ virus list. Smith could rejoin his teammates Sunday, however, regardless of vaccination status. Like Wentz, if Smith is not displaying symptoms, he could return Sunday against the Raiders. Smith was the Colts’ lone O-line starter available by the end of Week 16, but the team will have more of its starters on hand against Las Vegas.
Marlon Mack, cornerback T.J. Carrie, safety Jahleel Addae and linebacker Malik Jefferson join Smith as players now on Indy’s virus list.
Nunc Coepi!!! And I love Philip Rivers, but is this a good idea? If he gets hit, can he still absorb the pain?
What kind of shape is he in?
If Rivers won’t come back for the Colts, he’s not coming back. He already knows the playbook, and the Colts fit the definition of a “contending team” as he said in his initial comments regarding a return. I don’t think that Rivers would return for anyone at this point.
Come on, give Sam a chance!
You can’t be a long term successful coach without trusting your talented rookies!
Wentz will screw things up somehow just like he did with the Eagles. The fact he is unvaccinated is unacceptable!
That status means not caring about your team…..
lol or not being a zombie
And how did Ian Book look with saints needing a win
The fact that jorge78 has to say “being unvaccinated is unacceptable” is beyond stupid. Everyone has a choice; if he chooses to get vaccinated like you did, then let it “save you”. The “problem will solve itself” as you say.