The Indianapolis Colts did not expect to begin the season 0-3 after they made a blockbuster trade to acquire Carson Wentz this past offseason.
The former No. 2 overall pick was getting a fresh start with a Colts team looking for an answer at the position after a year of Philip Rivers.
Wentz’s problem throughout his entire career has been his ability to stay healthy.
Colts fans realized this reality in the preseason when it was revealed Wentz needed foot surgery.
Yet he bounced back fast and made the start in Week 1.
One week later, news dropped he had sprained both of his ankles in Week 2.
Jump ahead to last Sunday and he was noticeably limited in his mobility as the Colts dropped to 0-3.
Reports seem to indicate Wentz is not going to be shut down or given rest, so the Colts will go as far as he takes them this season.
If his ankles don’t recover fast, that won’t be very far.
Riding With Wentz
Back when Wentz was injured in the preseason, it came down to Jacob Eason and Sam Ehlinger battling it out for the starting job.
But then Wentz recovered in time for Week 1 and the discussion died down.
Now that he is injured again, it would make sense for the Colts to at least consider their options.
Well, if anyone is going to play instead of Wentz it will likely be Brett Hundley.
The Colts recently added the veteran backup as Ehlinger remains on injured reserve, and it was Hundley over Eason who served as Wentz’s backup in Week 3.
#Colts practice squad QB Brett Hundley took the majority of starter reps in practice Wednesday, and he and Jacob Eason may both play against the #Titans if Carson Wentz is out, per sources.
There’s still hope Wentz (ankles) can play. Final decision may not come until Sunday.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 23, 2021
The Eason era may never get a chance to take off in the first place if the team has Hundley as the top backup.
That explains why Frank Reich was so adamant about Wentz playing even if he wasn’t at 100 percent.
Why was Brett Hundley the backup QB over Jacob Eason yesterday? "Experience," Frank Reich says. Team would have felt more comfortable with Hundley (9 career starts) in there for a division road game.
What they're not saying: Eason hasn't shown them enough.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) September 27, 2021
If he does go down, the Colts will just be shuffling through backup options in what would be a lost season.
Getting On Track
Week 4 will tell us all we need to know about this Colts team.
They are on the road in Miami taking on a Dolphins team with a familiar quarterback in Jacoby Brissett.
Brissett stands out as a failed starting option for the Colts, who seem to either go boom or bust with quarterbacks.
Indianapolis enters with an 0-3 record and the Dolphins are just a bit better at 1-2.
However, Miami is fresh off a tight loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
That had to be a huge confidence-builder after being shutout by the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.
The Colts, meanwhile, scored a grand total of 16 points for the second time this year in Week 3.
A loss to go to 0-4 would end any playoff hopes and it would then be pointless for a hobbled Wentz to be playing quarterback.
But winning solves all and Colts fans are praying for the best to avoid the season being over so early.
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