All three QBs to see action
Wentz expected to get 15-20 snaps in first preseason game
Advice for fans who want to see starters in today’s 1 p.m. NFL preseason opener between Carolina and Washington: Tune in early.
Commanders coach Ron Rivera said he plans to play his starters, including new quarterback Carson Wentz, for about 15 to 20 snaps with perhaps an eight- or nine-play drive.
According to The Washington Post, Rivera will concentrate on how players perform in situations such as third downs, the red zone and short yardage.
“The biggest question is always going to be quarterback,” he told the Post. “Everything comes back to that position. I’m just excited with the fact that we will have game situations. We will play against some different folks, so I am really just looking forward to it.”
Washington had no joint practices with other teams this year.
Rivera said all three quarterbacks will play. After Wentz starts, Taylor Heinicke — the Old Dominion legend who was last year’s starter — will go perhaps into the third quarter before rookie Sam Howell from North Carolina completes the game.
“What would be really good — it was the last thing we worked on today — is I’d love to see Sam get a two-minute at the end of the game,” Rivera told the Post. “He’s still got a lot to learn, but consistency is what you’re looking for.”
Wide receiver Curtis Samuel will play, giving him his first live snaps since Week 14 last season against Dallas. Last season, Samuel dealt with groin and hamstring injuries and played only 84 snaps in five games.
Among those Commanders who will not play, according to the Post, are center Chase Roullier and tight ends Cole Turner and Sammis Reyes.
Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold will each play one series, according to Panthers coach Matt Rhule, though he didn’t not say who will start at quarterback.
“We are trying to get each guy six to eight plays,” Rhule said Thursday night.
Rookie quarterback Matt Corral and P.J. Walker are expected to play most of the game.
Similar to Rivera, Rhule said most of the Panthers’ starters will play between eight and 15 plays.
Mayfield and Darnold have been competing for the starting job since the start of training camp and splitting reps in practice.
The Panthers aren’t expected to choose a starter for the Sept. 11 regular-season opener against Cleveland until after the second preseason game because Rhule doesn’t want to rush into making the wrong choice.
Mayfield has been more productive in practice, but Rhule hasn’t given an indication as to who is winning the quarterback battle in his mind, saying that both Mayfield and Darnold have had good days.
“When we know, we know,” Rhule told the Associated Press. “If we knew it, we would say. Every day brings new evidence; every day brings new insights.”
Based on past accomplishments, Mayfield would appear to have the upper hand.
The No. 1 overall pick in 2018 was 29-30 as a starter in four seasons with the Browns, while Darnold is just 17-32 with the New York Jets and Panthers. Mayfield also has playoff experience, leading the Browns to a wild-card win after helping Cleveland finish 11-5 in the 2020 regular season.
Mayfield has thrown 92 touchdown passes and 56 interceptions compared to Darnold’s 54 TD passes and 52 INTs.
“This is about being a great situational quarterback in the red zone, on third down and in the two-minute offense,” Rhule said. “And then it’s seeing who can move the team, who can make plays, who can play within the scheme and get the ball to the guys that we have.
“When you have those three things, you have the starting quarterback.”