It’d be easier to rely upon Carson Wentz if he were vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Colts owner Jim Irsay.
In an interview with Fox59 in Indianapolis, Irsay was addressing Wentz’s status for Sunday’s game against the Titans — the quarterback is expected to play despite two sprained ankles — when he mentioned Wentz’s vaccination status as part of the “difficulties” the team has dealt with.
“I know he wants to go. I know how hard he’s worked. I know he’s respected in the locker room and all those sorts of things. But he has to stay healthy. Nobody’s hiding behind the M.O. of the past. … Since we came here and have been going through the bumps we’ve gone through, there’s been difficulties. It also makes it difficult if you’re not vaccinated, because it’s harder to depend on someone if they’re not vaccinated. They have freedom of choice and we understand that, but we’re hoping he can come back and play well.”
Wentz, 28, played in all 16 games just twice during his first five NFL seasons with the Eagles.
He suffered a torn ACL late in the 2017 season before Nick Foles took over and led Philadelphia to its first Super Bowl title. He missed the beginning of the 2018 season while working back from his knee injury and missed time at the end of the season with back issues. Wentz was then benched for Jalen Hurts late last season. He also missed time during his first Colts training camp with a foot injury.
Through two games with the Colts, both losses, Wentz is 45-for-69 with 498 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.