Wentz injury complicates already messy season for Commanders

Fans who have wanted to see former starter Taylor Heinicke back under center for the Washington Commanders are closer to having that wish granted. 

Carson Wentz has a fractured ring finger on his throwing hand and will visit a specialist in Los Angeles on Monday to determine the next steps for the injury, putting Heinicke in line to start Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers — and possibly more — if Wentz has to miss time. 

Heinicke did a commendable job as Washington’s starter last season — and the offense actually ranked better statistically — but make no mistake: Wentz’s injury complicates what has already been a messy season for the Commanders (2-4).

Losing a starting quarterback is never ideal. But the Commanders had a lot riding on Wentz this season. Washington’s brass had hoped to find out if Wentz could be a long-term solution to the team’s quarterback instability. 

Wentz has another two years remaining on his contract after this season, but neither is guaranteed. If he can’t get back on the field, Ron Rivera and company will have to base the decision on whether to bring back the high-dollar veteran for next year on what they’ve seen through six games — some highs, a lot of lows and maddening inconsistency.

Rivera was banking that Wentz would grow more comfortable in Washington’s offense as the season progressed. 

“Sometimes you get these veteran guys and it takes a little bit of time,” Rivera said earlier this month. “It (doesn’t happen) real fast. Everybody remembered Tampa Bay struggled those first what, six weeks, seven weeks, and then all of a sudden it started to click (with Tom Brady). Why? Because you had a veteran guy in a different system. So, it’s one of those things you gotta really take a look at.”

Washington knew there were risks in acquiring Wentz. The quarterback has had a history of injuries, though, to be fair, he hasn’t missed a regular-season game because of injury since 2018. 

Wentz’s injury Thursday was arguably the result of unfortunate luck. The quarterback hurt his hand as he released the ball on second-and-5 in the second quarter of Thursday’s 12-7 win over Chicago, hitting Bears defensive lineman Justin Jones’ hand on the follow-through. 

The injury has implications for Washington’s draft options next year too. 

When the Commanders acquired him from the Indianapolis Colts in the spring, part of the compensation included Washington sending a conditional third-rounder in 2023 that can become a second-rounder if Wentz plays at least 70% of the Commanders snaps. 

Through six games, Wentz had played all 422 snaps — meaning Washington was on pace for roughly 1,196 snaps. If Wentz misses, say,  the next six games and the Commanders’ offense averages the same amount of snaps for the rest of the season, Washington will only have to send a third-round pick to the Colts. 

But it would likely be better for Washington in the long run if Wentz returns sooner than later. Wentz hasn’t been great, but the Commanders would benefit from finding out if he can be. 

Monday’s appointment should provide a better picture of Wentz’s timeline. If the starter is out, then it will be Heinicke — not fifth-rounder Sam Howell — who will get the nod. 

Howell impressed in the preseason and some would argue that Washington would be best served to find out what they have in the rookie. But Howell didn’t push Heinicke for the backup job, and Rivera — who needs to win games now — made clear in the offseason that Heinicke was entrenched as the No. 2. 

The Commanders know Heinicke’s strengths and limitations. In 16 games and 15 starts last season, the gritty Heinicke helped Washington finish 21st in total yards and 23rd in points per game — not enough to keep Rivera from pursuing an upgrade. The coach believes he found that in Wentz. 

Now Heinicke looks like he’s going to have a chance to prove otherwise.