The Indianapolis Colts are off to a rough start in 2021 after being given a tough slate by the schedule-makers.
First was a home loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.
The Colts were back home in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams and the Indy faithful were in for another tough day.
Not only did the Colts lose a tight one, but Carson Wentz left late with an ankle injury.
Carson Wentz: “I’ve sprained my ankle probably 100 times since I was a kid. This one, I just couldn’t play on it.”
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) September 19, 2021
The trainers tried to tape up the ankle but it was just not happening.
Jacob Eason came in, threw an interception, and the Colts are now 0-2 after deciding to take a chance on Wentz.
Is it time to panic?
Before The Injury
Wentz went down late so it’s fair to analyze his game up to that point.
The Colts got the ball to start the game and took it all the way to the goal line, only to get stuffed four times.
The Rams offense proceeded to march 90 yards for a touchdown.
The Colts then scored a field goal, while the defense followed it up by forcing a Matthew Stafford interception.
What happened on the ensuing drive was basically a trending topic on Twitter all afternoon.
Carson Wentz found a way to throw an INT from a shovel pass. Embarrassing.
The #Colts once again reach first and goal and get 0 points, second time in this game.pic.twitter.com/RjH7JQMOzA
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 19, 2021
The shovel pass near the goal line ended in an interception as Frank Reich got a little too creative in that situation.
The Colts blew another chance to score so close to the end zone and both missed opportunities are huge in what ended up being a 27-24 loss.
While the call was not great, Wentz throwing that to the defense is inexcusable.
He just whipped it up for grabs and the end result was the worst possible outcome.
Wentz still finished the day with 247 yards and a touchdown, but the failures near the end zone were the ultimate difference.
His Week 3 Outlook
The fact Wentz was getting taped up and trying to return is a good sign.
It at least means the injury wasn’t bad enough to immediately send him to the locker room.
But such an injury may be one where Wentz just has to see how it reacts during the week.
If there is no structural damage it will come down to pain tolerance and whether or not Wentz can properly play the position to a high degree.
Eason came on late and threw an interception, so fans will be closely monitoring Wentz’s status as the Colts prepare to take on the Tennessee Titans.
It may be early, but an 0-3 start would realistically doom playoff hopes.
The Colts have had offensive line problems since Andrew Luck arrived and Wentz continuing to take shots is no surprise.
It just seems odd why an NFL franchise cannot solve the problem of quarterback protection.
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