Carson Wentz to see specialist for damaged finger, supply confirms

Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz fractured a finger on his throwing hand and can see a specialist in Los Angeles on Monday, a supply confirmed to ESPN.

The specialist will decide what the fracture means when it comes to how a lot time he might need to overlook. Washington hosts the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Oct. 23.

If Wentz cannot play, it’s anticipated that Taylor Heinicke would change him. The Commanders even have rookie fifth-round decide Sam Howell, who has been inactive for every sport.

Wentz harm his finger with 2 minutes left within the first half when, on his follow-through, his hand hit the arm of Chicago Bears defensive lineman Justin Jones. Wentz may very well be seen shaking his hand after that play and afterward the drive. He by no means got here out of the sport, a 12-7 win for Washington.

NFL Community first reported on Wentz’s finger harm.

It has been a rocky begin to Wentz’s Washington profession. The Commanders have struggled to guard him, as he has been sacked 23 instances, tied for essentially the most within the NFL. Wentz has compounded a few of that stress by at instances holding the ball too lengthy.

In six video games, Wentz has thrown for 1,489 yards, 10 touchdowns — tied for fifth within the NFL — and 6 interceptions, third most within the league. Wentz’s Whole QBR of 36.0 ranks twenty fifth.

Heinicke began 15 video games final season, throwing for 20 landing and 15 interceptions. However Washington wished to improve at quarterback, viewing him as a high-end backup. So it traded three draft picks for Wentz and a 2022 second-round selection. The Commanders surrendered second- and third-round picks in 2022 plus a conditional decide in 2023 that can be a second-rounder if Wentz performs 70% of Washington’s offensive snaps.

If Heinicke performs, his legs may present a spark for an offense that wants one. The Commanders scored a mixed 55 factors within the first two video games however solely 47 within the ensuing 4 video games.

The once-mobile Wentz has been hampered through the years after tearing his ACL in 2017 and struggling a fracture in his again a 12 months later.

Heinicke gained over teammates and followers the previous two seasons together with his capability to flee stress and make performs, although restricted arm energy hindered his sport. He labored with trainers through the offseason on growing his arm energy.