WESTFIELD, INDIANA – AUGUST 12: Head coach Frank Reich and Carson Wentz #2 of the Indianapolis Colts talk on the field during the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts joint practice at Grand Park on August 12, 2021 in Westfield, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Just when the Colts get quarterback Carson Wentz back from injury, they lose him again. This time to the NFL’s COVID-19 protocol.
The Colts placed Carson Wentz, Ryan Kelly and Zach Pascal on the COVID-19 reserve list Monday afternoon.
These specific players being placed on the COVID list this close to the start of the NFL season isn’t ideal. Kelly is reportedly fully vaccinated so he’ll be out until he posts two negative tests.
Wentz was going to make his return to the practice field in a full capacity after having foot surgery but now that will have to wait at least until next Monday.
Per the NFL’s COVID protocol, a player who’s placed on the list as a close contact must miss five days. A player who is positive could miss up to 10 days, depending on their vaccination status.
Wentz said in late July that it was a personal choice to not get vaccinated.
Colts place three starters on the COVID-19/Reserve List just under two weeks before the season starts.
Losing Wentz again will hurt both him and the team, as he just returned from surgery and was already in a race to be ready for Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks. Even if he remains negative, he’d lose five days of practice time that was a necessity due to the time he’s already missed.
Losing three key starters to the COVID-19 list this close to the regular season isn’t ideal for any franchise, but especially the Colts who the preseason has not been kind to.