Colts roster move opens door for former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger

Following a 22-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, the Indianapolis Colts have placed quarterback Carson Wentz on the COVID-19 list. Even under the new guidance of a five-day quarantine, Wentz will miss Sunday’s game against the Raiders.

The only other quarterback currently on the active roster is Sam Ehlinger, a rookie out of Texas. Ehlinger has seen the field in three games, but he has yet to throw a pass. He spent part of his first year on IR, as he sprained his ACL in a preseason contest. The former Longhorn was activated on Oct. 19.

Since becoming active, the Colts have practiced with him and had options for him under center in the event he needs to enter the game. They were primarily for running situations.

The Colts took him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft after an impressive college career. In four years in Austin, Ehlinger threw for 11,436 yards, 94 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. A true dual-threat quarterback, he also ran for 1,903 yards and 33 scores. In 2018, he rushed for 16 scores — a good number for a running back. That same year, he was second in touchdown passes in the conference, and along with former Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler, he led the Big 12 in touchdown tosses in 2019.

Ehlinger’s last game (excluding the preseason) was Dec. 29, 2020 in the Alamo Bowl against Colorado, meaning if he starts on Sunday, it will have been over a year since he took a snap in a real game.

Former quarterback and fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft Jacob Eason threw two passes while in Indianapolis, but he was waived on Oct. 19. The Seattle Seahawks picked him up two days later.

Colts chasing playoff spot in AFC South

The Colts two remaining games are against the Raiders and at the Jacksonville Jaguars. At 9-6, they are in second place in the AFC South behind the 10-5 Tennessee Titans.

If the playoffs started today, the Colts would be the No. 5 seed. In a very tight AFC playoff picture, the Kansas City Chiefs are the only team that have clinched a spot in the postseason.