Indianapolis Colts desperately need Carson Wentz to start season
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said all the right things on Thursday, but the reality is his team needs quarterback Carson Wentz immediately.
This was supposed to be a year of contention for the Indianapolis Colts. Of course, it can still be one, but without quarterback Carson Wentz come Week 1, the odds quickly grow long.
With Wentz sidelined 5-12 weeks after needing foot surgery, the signal-caller could be out anywhere from the entire preseason — but back Week 1 — to the beginning of November.
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Looking at Indy’s schedule, it better be the former if the Colts want to have real playoff dreams come mid-October. Over the first five weeks, Indianapolis hosts the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams before a three-game road swing that includes the Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens.
Without Wentz, who despite being one of the league’s worst quarterbacks in 2020 is still the best hope by a considerable margin for the Colts, Indy is likely losing four or even five of those matchups.
Still, on Thursday, team owner Jim Irsay talked to local media about a variety of topics, including when he hopes to see Wentz return. Per ESPN:
“I know he’s such a competitor and wants to be there for his team. But he has to help by only coming back when he’s ready because we want to see him healthy for two months and two years and four years and do those things that you see the great players at the Hall of Fame (do). They’re there because they can stay on the field and Carson does everything he can to stay on the field.”
Read: Carson Wentz, Quenton Nelson Could Be Ready For Colts In Week 1
To bear clear, Irsay is right in everything he said. The Colts. can’t rush Wentz back onto the field, because in all likelihood, his performance will suffer and there’s a chance he gets reinsured or doesn’t heal fully in the first place.
Still, that doesn’t change reality. If Wentz is out for a few weeks, the Colts are significantly behind the proverbial 8-ball in the AFC. If he’s out for a month, Indy is essentially sunk. The defense is solid, but it’s not good enough to carry either second-year man Jacob Eason or rookie Sam Ehlinger to a few wins against some of the league’s best competition.
We still have another month before the regular season, and there’s hope Wentz returns for Week 1. The Colts have to be desperately hoping so.
