Carson Wentz led the Washington Commanders to an unsightly victory towards the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night time Soccer, however he fractured his finger on his throwing hand and will miss as much as six weeks.
The finger harm occurred late within the second quarter throughout a move try when Bears’ defensive deal with Justin Jones grazed Wentz’s hand. After the sport, Wentz downplayed the harm which he thought was a jammed finger.
It’s somewhat sore,” Wentz told the Washington Post after the win. “However I feel I’ll be all proper. The chilly situations didn’t essentially assist the jammed fingers.”
On Friday, an x-ray revealed a fracture finger. Wentz already was nursing a strained biceps tendon and shoulder harm.
Wentz bought a second opinion on his fractured finger by consulting a specialist in Los Angels on Monday.
In six video games this season, Wentz accomplished 62% of his passes. He handed for 1,489 yards with 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
The Commanders (2-4) host the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Sunday. If Wentz is unable to play, backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke will begin for the Commanders.
How Wentz harm his hand … pic.twitter.com/sDcY7Y4Aam
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 14, 2022
Wentz Harm Places Commanders in Robust Spot
After profitable the primary sport of the season, the Commanders dropped the subsequent 4 to begin the season 1-4. Wentz and the Commanders bought off the schneid with a 12-7 win towards the Bears in Week 6 to finish their four-game shedding streak.
Great frustration,” stated head coach Ron Rivera. “Once you begin seeing some steps go ahead after which impulsively you go backward, that’s a troublesome capsule to swallow.”
The Commanders face 4 troublesome opponents over the subsequent 4 weeks together with two video games towards Wentz’s former groups. They host a house sport towards the Packers (3-3) on Sunday, and the Minnesota Vikings (5-1) in Week 9. The Commanders go to the Indianapolis Colts (3-2-1) in Week 8, after which head to Philadelphia (6-0) in Week 9. Wentz started his profession with the Eagles earlier than he spent final season with the Colts.
If Wentz misses the subsequent six weeks of motion, he may return to the lineup in Week 13 in a street sport towards the much-improved New York Giants (5-1). The Commanders have a bye in Week 14 earlier than they host the Giants once more in Week 15.
Taylor Heinicke Subsequent Man Up
Rivera will faucet Heinicke to exchange Wentz. Heinicke went 7-8 as a starter final season when Ryan Fitzpatrick fractured his hip in Week 1. He accomplished 65% of his passes final season for 3,419 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. He additionally tossed 15 interceptions.
Heinicke returned to backup duties when the Commanders acquired Wentz in a commerce with the Indianapolis Colts within the offseason.
If Wentz misses any important time, third-string rookie Sam Howell will earn a promotion to backup. The Commanders chosen Howell out of North Carolina with a fifth-round decide within the 2022 NFL Draft, and plenty of followers want to see Howell in motion of Wentz is sidelined for the subsequent six weeks.
The Commanders are an extended shot to win Tremendous Bowl 57 at +50000 odds based on a most-recent replace by DraftKings. Solely the Bears and Houston Texans have longer odds to win the Tremendous Bowl. In NFC East odds, the Commanders are on the backside of the futures board at +10000 odds to win the division.