By Michael Bennett
Colts quarterback Carson Wentz is trending toward recovering from foot surgeries in time for next month’s regular-season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen is reporting.
The Colts announced last week that Wentz would be sidelined five to 12 weeks after operations to repair the same foot injury.
How much Wentz plays in 2021 will affect the Colts’ compensation in their trade for the quarterback.
The Colts gave the Eagles a conditional 2022 second-round pick that could become a first-rounder if Wentz either plays at least 75% of Indianapolis’ offensive snaps or plays 70% of the snaps and the team reaches the playoffs.
Wentz, who had surgery Aug. 2, will start his rehab next week but was at the Colts’ training camp practice Tuesday without a walking boot and without limping.
The Colts hope to have a better indication of both players’ rehabilitation status once they are two weeks post-surgery.
With Wentz out, sixth-round rookie Sam Ehlinger has split the first-team practice snaps with Jacob Eason and will continue to do so in Thursday and Friday’s joint practices with the Carolina Panthers.
Eason had been considered in the lead to start if Wentz did not recover in time to face the Seahawks, but coach Frank Reich referred to Eason as the starter “right now” multiple times after Saturday’s practice.
