Ankles may keep Colts’ Wentz out
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts already were unsure if Carson Wentz could play this week after injuring his right ankle.
On Monday, doctors found he had sprained both ankles.
Coach Frank Reich said the injuries could force the winless Colts to visit defending AFC South champion Tennessee without their starting quarterback and he does not yet have a timetable for Wentz’s return.
“When it comes to sprained ankles, there are degrees,” Reich said before meeting with the doctors. “I know Carson has a high threshold of pain. My history with Carson is that he’s a pretty fast healer and he’s tough. If he can play, he’ll play.”
Apparently, Wentz played with a bad left ankle in the 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. But when his right leg got twisted in a pile midway through the fourth quarter, he struggled to reach the sideline.
There, trainers examined him, retaping the right ankle in hopes of getting him back on the field.
It didn’t work. When Wentz realized he couldn’t function well enough on the field, he tossed his helmet in frustration — an action he later said he regretted.
If Wentz can’t play, Jacob Eason would likely make his first pro start. Eason didn’t appear in any games
in 2020, his rookie season, and was picked off by Rams All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey on his second career throw.
Dolphins’ Tua has bruised ribs
For the Miami Dolphins, Sunday was bad. Monday was at least somewhat better.
A battery of tests run on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa failed to show any serious problems other than bruised ribs, raising at least the possibility that he could play next weekend when the Dolphins visit the Las Vegas Raiders.
Tagovailoa was knocked out of the Dolphins’ 35-0 loss to Buffalo on Sunday after just two series and eight plays. He ended up on the turf after three of those plays, sacked twice on the first series and then injured on the final play of Miami’s second possession. He was taken from the
sideline on a cart and didn’t return.
Miami coach Brian Flores sounded as if there’s at least reasonable hope of Tagovailoa playing in Week 3 with a flak jacket to protect his ribs.
“If Tua can go, he’s going to go,” Flores said. “That’s just the kind of kid he is.”
Dalton injury may force Bears’ hand
Whether they want to or not, the Chicago Bears just might have to go with rookie Justin Fields.
Coach Matt Nagy said the team had ruled out a torn ACL for quarterback Andy Dalton and it was awaiting more test results on his left knee before deciding who will start this weekend at Cleveland.
Fields, the No. 11 pick in the draft, took over on Chicago’s final drive in the first half of Sunday’s 20-17 win over Cincinnati after getting in a handful of plays earlier in the game.
Asked if Dalton is the starter if he’s healthy, Nagy said: “That’s something I’m not gonna get into with scheme.”
Knee sidelines Browns’ Landry
Cleveland Browns receiver Jarvis Landry, who has missed just one game with an injury in nine years as a pro, could be sidelined for multiple weeks with a sprained medial collateral ligament suffered early in Sunday’s 31-21 win over the Texans.
The five-time Pro Bowl player was hurt while being tackled at the end of a 9-yard completion on Cleveland’s second offensive play.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Landry will be “week to week” but provided no other specifics on a timeline for his return.
Broncos’ Jewell lost for season
The Denver Broncos haven’t dropped a game yet, but they have lost five starters in two weeks and the latest injury, to linebacker Josey Jewell, appears the most serious.
Coach Vic Fangio wouldn’t confirm reports that fourth-year player is out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle.
The Broncos also might be without Pro Bowl linebacker Bradley Chubb after he aggravated a right ankle injury on Sunday.