Colts place starting QB on COVID list ahead of Raiders game

The Raiders may face a backup quarterback for the third consecutive week.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday ahead of the team’s Sunday matchup with the Raiders in Indianapolis. Wentz is unvaccinated and would have been subject to 10 days of isolation.

But the NFL and NFLPA agreed to amend their protocols in accordance with the CDC, which announced Monday that those who test positive can leave quarantine after five days instead of 10 if they are asymptomatic.

Wentz has started all 15 games for the Colts this year, completing 62.8 percent of his passes for 3,230 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Rookie backup quarterback Sam Ehlinger is in line to replace Wentz on Sunday if he is not cleared to return in time for the game.

Ehlinger has not attempted a pass this season.

The Colts (9-6) also have a slew of key players at other positions on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, but they still pose a danger to the Raiders, who can clinch a playoff berth with wins in their final two games.

Offense

Perennial All-Pro left guard Quenton Nelson also is on the list, as are starting right guard Braden Smith and right tackle Mark Glowinski. Left tackle Eric Fisher is battling several minor injuries, and starting center Ryan Kelly hasn’t played since November amid a personal tragedy.

Meaning the Colts may be without their entire starting offensive line as well as their starting quarterback.

That said, they still boast the most productive running back in football: Jonathan Taylor. The second-year standout leads the NFL with 1,626 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. He’s exceeded 100 rushing yards in nine games this season.

Second-year wideout Michael Pittman Jr. serves as the top receiving threat with 971 yards and five touchdowns. No other player has more than 369 receiving yards, indicating a by-committee kind of approach beyond Pittman.

The Colts have the NFL’s No. 5 scoring offense, averaging 28 points per game. Indianapolis ranks second in rushing offense, averaging 154.9 yards per game, reflecting Taylor’s dominance behind what normally stands as one of the best offensive lines in the league.

Defense

Perennial Pro Bowl linebacker Darius Leonard is also on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and won’t play, either, barring a change to the protocols. Defensive contributors on the list include safety Khari Willis and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin.

Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner anchors a stout defense that ranks 11th in scoring defense (21.1 points), 16th against the pass (234.8 yards) and 14th against the run (111.2 yards). Indianapolis also averages 2.1 takeaways per game, trailing only the Dallas Cowboys in that category.

The Colts employ a 4-3 base and incorporate Cover 2 and Cover 3 elements. Buckner has a team-high 6.5 sacks. Linebacker Bobby Okereke has a team-high 118 tackles.

Special Teams

Michael Badgley handles the place-kicking and has converted 15 of 18 field goals. His long is 45 yards. Punter Rigoberto Sanchez averages 44.7 yards per punt, ranking 23rd.

Contact reporter Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on Twitter.