Carson Wentz received clearance to return just in time to start for the Indianapolis Colts in a critical matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
Wentz, whose mostly mistake-free play at quarterback has helped Indianapolis rebound from an 0-3 start to pull within a game of the Tennessee Titans in the AFC South, was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday and removed from it on Saturday.
Wentz cleared testing protocol on Sunday, with head coach Frank Reich confirming a few hours before kickoff he was good to go. With the Colts holding all meetings virtually this week, Wentz was able to prepare for the game as if were going to play even as Reich confirmed he reached out to Philip Rivers about a cameo this week.
Instead, the Colts get a win-and-in the playoffs game with Wentz under center. Rookie Sam Ehlinger had been in line to make his first career start.
“We wanted to control our own destiny in a sense and we got that opportunity come this Sunday,” defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said. “We put ourselves in this position early on, starting off 0-3, then going to 1-4. Then, fighting our way back to this moment. We control our own destiny, like I said. We got a perfect opportunity to punch our ticket.”
The Raiders should see the Colts at their relative best. Relative because nearly one fourth of the roster has been on and off the COVID list in the past 20 days. Safety Andrew Sendejo (concussion) remains out.
Even with Wentz back in the saddle, Indianapolis’ goal will stay the same. It will build its attack around running back Jonathan Taylor, the NFL’s leading rusher, and then try to sting Las Vegas with play-action throws down the field.
Taylor and his 1,626 yards have been a prime reason why the Colts (9-6) are considered dangerous if they make the postseason. He compiled 108 yards on 27 carries on Christmas night in a 22-16 win at Arizona.
The Colts also removed 12 other players from the COVID-19 list over a four-day span, including two Pro Bowl selections in guard Quenton Nelson and linebacker Darius Leonard.
That the Raiders (8-7) are still in contention might be surprising to some who thought their chances were toast after losing five of six games. But consecutive wins over fellow playoff hopefuls Cleveland and Denver have revived their chances.
The Las Vegas defense, which has been middle-of-the-pack in terms of yards allowed per game, saved its best game for last week’s 17-13 decision over the Broncos. It limited Denver to 18 yards on the ground and 158 yards total, permitting only eight first downs.
Interim coach Rich Bisaccia praised his team’s approach to preparing for games as though things were normal in a period where the pandemic is rearranging rosters and depth charts daily.
“We haven’t been exempt from it, what happened to us last week, and we’re certainly expecting things to happen as the week goes on,” he said. “The mentality we’re going to have right now is everybody practices to play.”
The Raiders lead the all-time series 9-8, although Indianapolis routed them 44-27 on Dec. 13, 2020 in Las Vegas.
–Field Level Media
