Wentz ‘physically feeling good,’ will be ready to play if called upon

ASHBURN — Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz said Wednesday he’s “physically feeling good” more than two months after breaking his finger and said he’ll be ready to play if called upon. 

Coach Ron Rivera said this week that Taylor Heinicke will remain the team’s starter for Saturday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, but acknowledged that a quarterback change would be something “I have to think about” if the team’s offensive struggles continue. 

Wentz, the Commanders’ high-profile offseason acquisition, started the first six games this season before fracturing his ring finger in an October win over the Chicago Bears. By the time he was healthy enough to return, Rivera decided to stick with Heinicke, who had won five of six when the coach announced the news.

“When you’re the backup, you’re one play away,” Wentz said. “Nothing changes from your mentality, from your approach, how you prepare everything. You’re one play away regardless of the circumstances, so you have to be ready to go and so I’ll do that.

“I’m preparing to play and whatever that looks like, that’s never going to change. … That’s the same mentality we all take when you’re in the backup role.” 

Heinicke threw for 249 yards and a touchdown while completing 58.6% of his passes in Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants. Rivera said after the game that he wasn’t tempted to make a quarterback change, but later told NBC Sports Washington that he would have likely considered a switch if Heinicke had not led the Commanders on a touchdown drive right after halftime. 

Wentz said his finger has felt “really good now” for the last few weeks. The 29-year-old returned to practice on Nov. 23, though didn’t activate him to the 53-man roster until Dec. 12. Wentz said the time off allowed him to get healthier “everywhere else” — the quarterback was also nursing a shoulder injury — and further learn the ins-and-outs of Washington’s system.

The Commanders’ offensive identity has changed under Heinicke significantly compared to how the team started the year with Wentz. Washington has become primarily a run-heavy offense, relying on the strength of running backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson. Wentz said the shift has helped take pressure off of the offense and slows down the opposing defense.

While Wentz admitted it was “weird” to be dressed in uniform this past weekend and not play, he noted that he’d had to do that before. In 2020, Wentz was benched during his last year in Philadelphia. 

“Anytime you’re out you gain a new perspective,” Wentz said. “Both performance-wise but also mentally and how you handle things and how you go forth with life in general. I definitely don’t take it for granted and it’s kind of allowed me to see the game with what we’re trying to do and what our identity has become.”