The Colts didn’t just lose their second straight game to start the 2021 season on Sunday. They also lost their starting quarterback, and it’s unclear when he’ll return. Exactly a week after Carson Wentz made his Colts debut following an offseason limited by ankle surgery, the veteran signal-caller exited late in Sunday’s Week 2 loss to the Rams after he was hobbled on a hit from Aaron Donald. Coach Frank Reich told reporters afterward that Wentz rolled his ankle “pretty bad” and will undergo further evaluation in the coming days.
“I kind of had a sense when we walked off the field because I saw that it didn’t look good,” Reich said. “The longer we were off the field there, it just stiffened up. He tried (to return to the game), but there was no chance.”
Wentz, who finished 20-of-31 for 247 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the 27-24 loss, was replaced by second-year backup Jacob Eason to close out Sunday’s contest. Eason, who was picked off on his first series, is the only other QB on the Colts’ active roster, with sixth-round rookie Sam Ehlinger currently on injured reserve and sidelined through at least Week 3.
Wentz, for what it’s worth, sounded as unsure as Reich regarding his status moving forward.
“I’ve sprained my ankle probably 100 times since I was a kid,” he said after the game. “This one, I just couldn’t play on it.”
Either way, the Colts are in a precarious position moving into Week 3 against the Titans, who entered 2021 widely considered to be Indianapolis’ chief competition for the AFC South title. After Wentz spent a large chunk of the summer sidelined to rehab his ankle, they likely don’t want to rush the QB back behind an offensive line that’s already struggled to keep him upright this fall. And yet, facing an 0-3 start to the season, they sure could use their starting QB.
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