HOUSTON — The Washington Commanders plan to stick with Taylor Heinicke at quarterback as long as he continues to play well and leads the team to wins — even when Carson Wentz is healthy.
According to multiple reports, the Commanders will continue to ride with Heinicke, who has led Washington to a 3-1 record in wake of Wentz’s finger injury. ESPN reported that Wentz has been informed of the decision.
Heinicke could lose the job if he struggles, but for now, coach Ron Rivera plans to stick with the status quo. Last Monday, Heinicke helped lead the Commanders to a stunning 32-21 upset win over the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. The Commanders could improve to 6-5 on the season with a win Sunday over the Houston Texans.
Sunday’s contest marked the fifth straight game that Wentz has missed since breaking his finger in a Week 6 win over the Chicago Bears. But the quarterback is close to returning as he’s technically eligible to return off injured reserve and has been cleared to start throwing. That put Rivera in a position of having to choose between Heinicke and Wentz, leading the coach to stay with Heinicke.
“You have to look at the momentum and what the mood of the team is,” Rivera said Tuesday when asked of his quarterback decision. “There are a lot of factors.”
The Commanders acquired Wentz in the offseason, trading multiple draft picks to the Indianapolis Colts to land the quarterback. But Wentz went just 2-4 as a starter this season, struggling to find consistency in a new offense.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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