Indianapolis Colts head coach, Frank Reich, has announced that quarterback Carson Wentz will be out five to 12 weeks with a left foot injury.
Wentz was injured during practice Thursday and spent several days debating his rehab options before scheduling surgery for Monday afternoon in Indianapolis.
“The next couple of days were a discussion over. Well, we can leave it in there, try to manage it and see how it holds up over the course of the year and take our chances.” Reich said.
“But we wanted the most predictable outcome. Let’s get the piece out of there, begin the rehab process and plan for the long haul.” Reich added.
Wentz played without confidence last season for the Philadelphia Eagles, leading to a career-worst season and off-season trades.
By skipping the entire training camp and preseason, he will be less comfortable on offense and will have no timing with the offensive weapons around him.
There are now bigger questions along the offensive line too. The Colts hired Eric Fisher to replace retiree Anthony Castonzo for the left tackle, but Fisher tore his Achilles tendon in the AFC championship game.
He isn’t expected to be back until October, which means the Colts will likely open the season without their starting quarterback and starters on the left side of the offensive line.
The Colts decided it was better to deal with Wentz’s absence now, rather than to lose Wentz halfway through the season in the middle of a playoff race.
“If we rehab, it’s going to be fine in a couple of weeks, but if it creeps back up in the middle of the season and then you’re out five to 12 weeks, that’s not to going work.” Reich said.