Washington Commanders QB Carson Wentz Could Miss Up to Six Weeks

Posted on: October 17, 2022, 01:02h. 

Last updated on: October 17, 2022, 04:39h.

Pauly McGuire Read More
Expertise: Sports Betting, Sports.

Carson Wentz led the Washington Commanders to an ugly victory against the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. But he fractured his finger on his throwing hand and could miss up to six weeks while recovering from surgery.

Carson Wentz Washington Commanders fractured finger injury Bears
Carson Wentz, quarterback for the Washington Commanders, drops back for a pass against the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football at Soldier Field. Wentz suffered a fractured finger against the Bears, but finished the game. (Image: USA Today Sports)

The finger injury happened late in the second quarter during a pass attempt when Bears’ defensive tackle Justin Jones grazed Wentz’s hand. After the game, Wentz downplayed the injury, which he thought was a jammed finger.

It’s a little sore,” Wentz told the Washington Post after the win. “But I think I’ll be all right. The chilly conditions didn’t necessarily help the jammed fingers.”

On Friday, an X-ray revealed a fractured finger. Wentz already was nursing a strained biceps tendon and shoulder injury. Wentz consulted a specialist in Los Angeles on Monday, who recommended surgery. The Commanders do not have a specific timetable for his return, but six weeks has been mentioned.

In six games this season, Wentz completed 62% of his passes. He passed for 1,489 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The Commanders (2-4) host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. If Wentz is unable to play, backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke will start for the Commanders.

Wentz Injury Puts Commanders in Tough Spot

After winning the first game of the season, the Commanders dropped the next four to start the season 1-4. Wentz and the Commanders got off the schneid with a 12-7 win against the Bears in Week 6 to end their four-game losing streak.

Tremendous frustration,” said head coach Ron Rivera. “When you start seeing some steps go forward and then all of a sudden you go backward, that’s a tough pill to swallow.”

The Commanders face four difficult opponents over the next four weeks, including two games against Wentz’s former teams. They host a home game against the Packers (3-3) on Sunday, and the Minnesota Vikings (5-1) in Week 9. The Commanders visit the Indianapolis Colts (3-2-1) in Week 8 and then head to Philadelphia (6-0) in Week 9. Wentz began his career with the Eagles before he spent last season with the Colts.

If Wentz misses the next six weeks of action, he could return to the lineup in Week 13 in a road game against the much-improved New York Giants (5-1). The Commanders have a bye in Week 14 before they host the Giants again in Week 15.

Taylor Heinicke Next Man Up

Rivera will tap Heinicke to replace Wentz. Heinicke went 7-8 as a starter last season when Ryan Fitzpatrick fractured his hip in Week 1. He completed 65% of his passes last season for 3,419 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. He also tossed 15 interceptions.

Heinicke returned to backup duties when the Commanders acquired Wentz in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts in the off-season.

If Wentz misses any significant time, third-string rookie Sam Howell will earn a promotion to backup. The Commanders selected Howell out of North Carolina with a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and many fans would like to see Howell in action if Wentz is sidelined for the next six weeks.

The Commanders are a long shot to win Super Bowl 57 at +50000 odds, according to a most-recent update by DraftKings. Only the Bears and Houston Texans have longer odds to win the Super Bowl. In NFC East odds, the Commanders are at the bottom of the futures board at +10000 odds to win the division.