Indianapolis – Colts fans worst fear was realized Tuesday afternoon when the Colts official twitter account sent out the news that Carson Wentz was being placed on the COVID-19 list.
We have placed QB Carson Wentz on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. pic.twitter.com/5gb4bOmVQf
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 28, 2021
After losing starters Darius Leonard, Quenton Nelson, Braden Smith, Khari Willis, Zach Pascal, and Mark Glowinski in the days prior, it was the final nail in the coffin to Colts fans ahead of an important game vs the Raiders that will go a long way in determining playoff seeding
It didn’t take Colts fans long to think of backup plans, even former QB Philip Rivers name was floated in the Colts front office as a potential replacement for Wentz.
Colts need to call Philip Rivers. Have heard it’s being discussed.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) December 28, 2021
Right as 3:00 struck and JMV opened up his show, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter dropped a nugget of info that was seen as a life preserver to the fanbase.
NFL and NFLPA are getting close to adopting the new CDC guidelines that would reduce the quarantine time to five days from 10 days for all players, including those who are unvaccinated. Agreement could be done today, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2021
With the hope that the Colts could get back a stable of critical starters that were once thought to be out vs the Raiders due to a 10 day quarantine, it seemed like things were looking up. The only question left was if Carson Wentz tested positive on Monday, allowing him to quarantine for 5 days and then play on Sunday or if he tested positive on Tuesday meaning that he wouldn’t be available until the following Monday, missing the game vs Las Vegas.
Once the NFL and NFLPA agreed upon the new COVID protocols, a whirlwind of an afternoon concluded with the final piece of good news for the Colts organization.
The NFL informed clubs that unvaccinated players who tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days — including #Colts QB Carson Wentz and LB Darius Leonard and #Chargers WR Mike Williams — are now eligible to play Sunday provided symptoms have improved, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 28, 2021
It took only 4.5 hours but the rollercoaster of emotions had finally ended and it looking like the Colts will return every major starter that was previously out for COVID ahead of their matchup vs the Raiders.
Just another day in the NFL for the 2021 Season.
