Colts QB Carson Wentz Returns to the Practice Field—With Really Encouraging Signs Regarding his Foot
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By: Luke Schultheis
Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback Carson Wentz returned to the practice field for the first time since his recent offseason foot surgery three weeks ago—and well, the early signs were really encouraging to say the least:
You love 2 see it. pic.twitter.com/5Z3pcGpLkn
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 23, 2021
Carson Wentz was in no way limited through that first hour of practice.
10-of-15 in 7-on-7 with an INT. He took every single rep. Every single rep.
No team reps for Wentz today. Jacob Eason back with the starters.
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) August 23, 2021
Photography is no longer allowed during this portion of practice, but Wentz is throwing in 1-on 1 passing drills and looks fantastic.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) August 23, 2021
There are still some hurdles to clear, and the Colts will have to see how Wentz’s foot ultimately responds from today’s training camp practice—but yeah, it looks like the former Philadelphia Eagles franchise quarterback has a very realistic chance to make his Indianapolis debut in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Quite frankly, there’s real reason for optimism right now.
Now, Wentz was held out of live team work, but as The Athletic’s Zak Keefer alluded to, he did pretty well everything else on the practice field on Monday:
Colts will hold Carson Wentz out of live team work today, but he’s doing everything else — individual drills, 7-on-7 — and taking almost all of the first-team reps. No limitations. Moving well. As you’d imagine, the offense looks noticeably better.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) August 23, 2021
The Colts could sorely use him back out there too, as neither 2nd-year quarterback Jacob Eason nor rookie Sam Ehlinger has really run away with the starting job in his absence in convincing fashion—with some up-and-down showings respectively.
Instead, Wentz remains the ideal combination of both of them.
He has Eason’s size and arm strength, while having Ehlinger’s mobility and awareness.
If he’s fully healthy and the surgically cleaned up foot is ready to go, he’ll be out there behind center for the Colts pretty soon.
That being said, the Colts won’t rush him back either—even if he’s already ahead of his expected timetable to return right now.
In other news, both Colts’ All-Pro interior offensive linemen Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly returned to the practice field as well on Monday—each taking part in individual drills:
Both Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly back as well today — both moving at full speed during individual drills. After a rocky start to camp injury-wise, Colts getting whole at the right time.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) August 23, 2021
As it stands, the Colts are starting to get fully healthy, right in time for the regular season.
