Wentz and other Washington starters are scheduled for about 15-20 plays in Saturday's preseason opener against Carolina, Michael Phillips of Richmond.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It'll be Wentz's first chance to connect with wideouts Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel in a game setting, assuming all three play. Rivera already said Samuel would, and added later that he expects the starters to stay on for about 15-20 snaps.

The Colts agreed Wednesday to trade Wentz and their 2022 second-round pick to the Commanders in exchange for Washington's 2022 second-round picks as well as third-round picks in 2022 and 2023, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Schefter, Washington will pay the full $28 million owed to Wentz in 2022, while the 2023 third-round selection will become a second-round pick if the quarterback plays at least 70 percent of Washington's offensive snaps during the upcoming season. The trade won't become official until after the start of the new league year March 16, but barring any hangups in Wentz's physical, the 29-year-old becomes the latest high-profile signal-caller to change teams in the early stages of the offseason. Wentz should immediately supplant Taylor Heinicke as Washington's No. 1 quarterback in 2022, following a one-year stint in Indianapolis in which he completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 3,563 yards and a 27:7 TD:INT while starting the entire 17-game slate.

As NFL free agency approaches, GM Chris Ballard acknowledged Tuesday that Wentz's future with the Colts has yet to be determined, Mike Wells of ESPN reports. "I don't have a direct answer for you," Ballard noted with regard to the QB's status with the franchise. "Jim [Irsay], Frank [Reich] and I will sit down over the next 10 days and figure out where it's going. Ultimately, we'll do what's best for the team in the short term and in the long term."

EDGE Analysis

The Colts acquired Wentz from the Eagles last February, but the report notes that the veteran signal-caller's in-game decisions were a cause for concern among members of the organization at various points during the 2021 campaign. As a result, the team has yet to commit to Wentz ahead of the 2022 season, which sets up a scenario in which it's possible that the franchise may may be looking for a new starting QB for the third time in as many offseasons. Per the report, Wentz -- whose contract runs through 2024 -- is slated to earn $15 million whether he's on Indy's roster or not next season, however the team can save about $13 million if he's released by March 18.

While speaking during his season-ending news conference, GM Chris Ballard fell short of committing to Wentz as the Colts' starting QB next season, Mike Wells of ESPN.com reports. "When we made the decision, after Philip [Rivers] retired ... to make a move on Carson, at the time of the decision we felt good about it and I still don't regret the decision at the time," Ballard noted Thursday. "Sitting here today ... I won't make a comment on who is going to be here next year and who is not going to be here next year. That's not fair to any player."

EDGE Analysis

Meanwhile, Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star previously relayed that coach Frank Reich also declined to discuss the 2022 standing of Wentz or any other player on the team's roster, but given the mixed returns in the signal-caller's first season with Indianapolis, it's not too surprising that endorsements from the franchise's GM and coach didn't arrive in the wake of a disappointing loss in Week 18 that eliminated the Colts from playoff contention. Per Stephen Holder of The Athletic, Wentz is under contract through 2024, but he points out that the key aspect of the deal is that next season is the final year with guaranteed money. In any case, there figures to continue to be speculation regarding Wentz' future with the team in the coming months, but contract deadlines, free agency and the NFL Draft remain future moving parts that will drive the narrative.

Wentz completed 17 of 29 passes for 185 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 26-11 loss to the Jaguars. He added three rushes for 17 yards.

EDGE Analysis

Wentz had a disastrous performance in a must-win game, as he also lost a fumble for two total turnovers. His 6.4 yards per attempt is a bleak enough mark standing alone, but it becomes even worse when considering that 85 of his 185 passing yards came on the Colts' final offensive possession and with the team down 26-3. Wentz stayed away from mistakes for much of the season -- he threw only seven interceptions and lost four fumbles -- though he also surpassed 300 yards in a contest only twice.

Wentz completed 16 of 27 passes for 148 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Raiders. He added three carries for 10 yards.

EDGE Analysis

The Colts clearly tried to keep the ball out of the air, as they tallied 26 rushing attempts as opposed to Wentz's 27 pass attempts. Even when he took to the air, Wentz was largely uninspiring as he averaged only 5.5 yards per attempt. His touchdown was fortunate, as he threw a ball up for grabs that bounced off two defenders only to land in the arms of T.Y. Hilton for a 45-yard score. Wentz has now been held to under 200 passing yards in five of his last seven starts heading into a Week 18 matchup against Jacksonville.

Head coach Frank Reich confirmed Wentz (illness) has cleared the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocols and is slated to start Sunday's game against the Raiders.

EDGE Analysis

Wentz was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, but he still needed to gain medical clearance to be available Sunday. He's been able to do just that, and despite having not practiced all week, Wentz was able to stay prepared to start while in isolation and shouldn't face any limitations Week 17. Sam Ehlinger is set to serve as Wentz's backup.

Wentz (illness) will be available to start after receiving full clearance from a medical professional earlier in the day, Colts head coach Frank Reich told Stacey Dales of NFL Network.

EDGE Analysis

Though Wentz was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday when first eligible following a five-day isolation period, the quarterback hadn't fully cleared all of the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocols. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Wentz still required a check early Sunday to ensure he wasn't dealing with any lingering symptoms of the virus, and the quarterback was able to pass the final test. Though he didn't take part in any of the Colts' three official practices this week while on the list, Wentz was able to stay up to speed with the game plan while in isolation and shouldn't face any restrictions Sunday. Sam Ehlinger will serve as his backup after taking reps with the first-team offense Wednesday through Friday.

Went (illness) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Wentz is now officially back on the active roster after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this week, though that doesn't necessary mean he'll be available for Sunday's game against the Raiders. The 29-year-old still needs to fully clear the COVID-19 protocols in order to play, and if he does so Sunday morning he'll be able to suit up. Rookie sixth-round pick Sam Ehlinger is poised to make his first NFL start should Wentz be unable to clear the protocols. However, the expectation is Wentz will be cleared to take the field for Indianapolis, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Wentz (illness) has shown progress throughout the week, with Colts coach Frank Reich saying Friday that he's prepared both Wentz and Sam Ehlinger to start Sunday's game against the Raiders, Mike Chappell of FOX 59 Indianapolis reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Colts would need to move Wentz from the reserve/COVID-19 list by 4 p.m. ET Saturday to have him available for Sunday's game against the Raiders. He was initially placed on the list Tuesday, and while Reich acknowledges the QB didn't feel well early in the week, he's apparently doing better as the Week 17 game approaches. Wentz stayed involved throughout the week via Zoom meetings, hoping he'll be able to clear the return-to-play protocol ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.