Carson Wentz Continues Positive Progression Towards Starting Week 1

If Carson Wentz’s foot continues to respond well moving forward, many believe he’ll be the Colts’ Week 1 starter against the Seattle Seahawks.

Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Carson Wentz, who surprised many by returning to practice just three weeks after having surgery on his foot, is continuing to progress in a positive manner.

In fact, many believe that Wentz has a very strong chance of starting Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks.

According to Zak Keefer, a writer for The Athletic, “Carson Wentz’s foot is responding well and he should get three full practices in next week before the opener. “Optimistic” he’ll play vs. Seattle, he says. Barring an unforeseen setback, he’ll be out there after a wild preseason.”

Perhaps the biggest question surrounding Wentz’s injury was how his foot would respond to several, back-to-back practices. When out at practice, though, Wentz has looked very comfortable. And while the team has limited some of his work, the quarterback did get 11-on-11 for the first time during Thursday’s session.

“It felt great to finally get out there in full pads,” Wentz said. “Felt good to get out there finally with the guys, really, mostly full squad upfront and everything.”

Even though Wentz has looked solid in practice, the Colts are still being precautious and making sure that their quarterback continues to progress positively moving forward.

“He’s making really good progress,” GM Chris Ballard said Wednesday. “He’s out right now. This was a week that he was going to start getting 11-on-11 work, but when he gets back, we’ll continue to monitor where he’s at. But he’s making really good progress.”

Wentz expressed optimism during Thursday’s post-practice presser with local media members.

“Again, it’s something that I’m listening to the doctors, I’m listening to the trainers and everything,” Wentz said. “[I’m] doing as much as they allow me to. I gotta listen to them, but I’m optimistic about where I’m at with the foot and mentally with the offense and everything, so we’ll see how it plays out.”

Despite the quarterback’s optimism, the Colts are still being precautious and making sure that Wentz continues to progress positively moving forward.

When asked if he could give a clearer indication on how his foot feels, Wentz said, “It’s pretty good. It’s in a pretty good place.”

Head coach Frank Reich also spoke on Wentz’s progression during his post-practice presser Thursday afternoon.

“He was limited today,” Reich said. “He didn’t take every rep, but he took most of the team reps and I thought he looked good.”

Additionally, when asked where Wentz is physically, Reich said, “I think he’s continued to make progress every day.” “I think we’re continuing down the right path.”

So long as Wentz continues to progress in the right direction, there’s a very strong chance he’ll be the Colts’ Week 1 starter.