INDIANAPOLIS – Carson Wentz has a chance to play Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
And that was something Frank Reich didn’t even think was possible on Monday. Hope began to slowly change for Reich on Tuesday, when Wentz showed improvements in his rehab from a pair of sprained ankles.
After sitting out the first two practices of the week, Wentz did practice on a limited basis Friday, giving him a shot at playing in Sunday’s massive divisional matchup.
Following Friday’s final practice of the week, Reich was asked if he felt the whole playbook would still be available, if a banged-up Wentz was the starter on Sunday.
“Based off what I saw today, probably not.” Reich said, adding that this was a topic which still needed further evaluation.
“If (Wentz) can’t function and play his game…what’s best for him? what’s best for the team? That’s ultimately what will guide the decision.”
Reich did say that this is the kind of injury that a player can re-aggravate, so that’s something to consider as well.
If Wentz can’t go in Week 3, Reich did not say whether or not Jacob Eason or Brett Hundley (who can be elevated from the practice squad on Saturday) will start on Sunday.
On Friday, Reich was asked why Eason isn’t the definite starter (if Wentz can’t play), given that he’s backed up Wentz the first two weeks.
“Jacob has done a very good job,” the head coach said. “I’ve got confidence in all of our guys here, I really do. They’re doing a good job. I think they’re all getting better all the time – Jacob, Brett (Hundley), Sam’s (Ehlinger) been hurt but even Sam in the last couple of weeks as he started back in rehab. I think we have a pretty good situation. I have confidence in all the guys.”
What else did we learn from the Colts on Friday?
- Friday marked a second straight practice for CB-Xavier Rhodes (calf), who is looking to make his 2021 season debut on Sunday. It goes without saying how vital Rhodes is to the Colts having a shot this week. Rhodes is off the injury report, so he’s good to go for this matchup against the Titans.
- One player making his return to the lineup this weekend is WR-Parris Campbell (abdomen). The speedy Campbell missed last week, but practiced all three days this week and is off the injury report.
- It’ll be a second straight missed game for RT-Braden Smith (foot, thumb). With Smith out, the Colts could turn to Julie’n Davenport now at right tackle. Davenport looks to be the team’s current top swing tackle, with Matt Pryor as another option.
- The Colts made a roster move on Friday that appears to have a direct correlation to the opponent this weekend. With LB-Jordan Glasgow (concussion) going on injured reserve, the team decided to promote DT-Antwaun Woods to the active roster. Woods has 32 career starts over the past three years, all in Dallas, which plays a similar to defensive scheme to the Colts. At 318 pounds, Woods gives the Colts another interior defensive line body with Derrick Henry waiting on Sunday.
- The Colts will have a Saturday walk-through ahead of the first road trip of the year on Sunday in a 1:00 PM kickoff in Nashville.
Final Injury Report
–OUT: OT-Braden Smith (foot), LB-Jordan Glasgow (concussion)
Bowen Analysis: Glasgow is heading to IR for at least 3 games.
-QUESTIONABLE: QB-Carson Wentz (ankles)
Bowen Analysis: It was a limited day of work on Friday for Wentz.
The following players were on the injury report at some point this week, but are now good to go for Sunday: OT-Eric Fisher (rest), TE-Jack Doyle (rest), LB-Darius Leonard (ankle), S-Julian Blackmon (shoulder), WR-Zach Pascal (illness), CB-T.J. Carrie (knee), OG-Quenton Nelson (back).
