Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Tuesday that Wentz will serve as the backup quarterback behind starter Taylor Heinicke in Sunday's game against the Giants, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rivera hasn't completed closed the door on Wentz reclaiming the starting job at some point, but at least for the time being, the Commanders will stick with Heinicke, who has guided the team to a 5-1-1 record through his first seven outings of 2022. Heinicke has been propped up by the running game and the Commanders' defense to some degree, as he's completed 61.7 percent of his throws for 6.8 yards per attempt, nine touchdowns and five interceptions while adding 67 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries this season. Wentz posted similar numbers over his six starts prior to landing on injured reserve but was much more prone to taking sacks, so the Commanders won't deviate from what has thus far proven to be a winning formula with Heinicke at the helm.

The Commanders activated Wentz (finger) from injured reserve Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wentz stands to serve as the primary backup to Taylor Heinicke now that he's returned to Washington's active roster, beginning with Sunday's divisional contest against the Giants. The veteran hasn't played since Week 6 due to having undergone right ring finger surgery. In his six starts this season, Wentz threw 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Wentz (finger) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, but the Commanders will stick with Taylor Heinicke and Sam Howell as their top two quarterbacks for at least one more week, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wentz will return to practice Wednesday, perhaps with the goal of coming back for Week 13, or else after the Week 14 bye. The Commanders reportedly now view Taylor Heinicke as their starter, leaving Wentz in a backup role unless or until his teammate's performance leads to a benching.

The Commanders announced Wednesday that Wentz (finger) has been designated for return from injured reserve.

EDGE Analysis

The transaction opens up a 21-day window wherein Wentz can be evaluated in practice without counting toward the active roster. Once deemed healthy enough to play, Wentz is expected to settle in as the backup to Taylor Heinecke, barring an injury or poor performance from the latter that causes the Commanders to change their plans at quarterback. Wentz has been sidelined since undergoing surgery Oct. 17 to repair his right ring finger, and if he looks good during the team's three practices this week, he could be activated from IR in advance of this Sunday's game against the Falcons to replace Sam Howell as Heinicke's backup. While Wentz has been out of the lineup, Heinicke has led Washington to a 3-1 record as the starter.

Wentz (finger) is expected to serve as the Commanders' backup quarterback once he's activated from injured reserve, with Taylor Heinicke set to retain the starting job "unless something changes dramatically," Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wentz made enough progress in his recovery from Oct. 17 right ring finger surgery to resume throwing this week, but he hasn't yet been cleared for practice and will remain on IR for a fifth straight game when the Commanders take on the Texans on Sunday. Though Wentz could be available to play as soon as Week 12, the starting job will belong to Heinicke for the final seven games of the season so long as he doesn't miss time due to injury or doesn't see a dramatic downturn in performance in the weeks to come. While Heinicke hasn't posted eye-popping statistics in the absence of Wentz, he's helped lead the Commanders to a 3-1 record during his run as starter to keep the team in the thick of the NFC playoff race. In addition to Heinicke's respectable play, the Commanders are incentivized to keep Wentz on the bench due to the terms of his contract. As Ben Standig of The Athletic notes, if Wentz plays 70 percent of Washington's offensive snaps this season, it would result in the Commanders surrendering a 2023 second-round draft pick to the Colts rather than a third-round pick.

Wentz (finger) has resumed throwing but won't return to practice Wednesday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wentz hasn't been designated to return from injured reserve yet, and it may not happen this week given that the Commanders have already named Taylor Heinicke as their starter for Sunday's game in Houston. However, coach Ron Rivera didn't shut down the possibility of Wentz being active as the backup, and there's still some question about which guy will be the starter once both are at/near full strength. Jhabvala suggests the team is essentially putting off that decision for another week.

Wentz (finger) will be eligible to come off injured reserve before the Commanders take on Houston in Week 11, and Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports that the team is preparing for Wentz to reclaim the starting role once healthy.

EDGE Analysis

When asked about Wentz's return, Taylor Heinicke said he's prepared to return to a backup role. Heinicke could make a convincing case to remain the starting quarterback if he can beat the Eagles on Monday, but if Heinicke drops to 2-2 as the starter in Wentz's absence, the offseason trade acquisition will likely be handed back the starting job upon his return. Wentz has topped 300 passing yards in three of six starts, while Heinicke has yet to hit that mark.

The Commanders have officially placed Wentz (finger) on injured reserve, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wentz underwent surgery on his right ring finger earlier in the week and will now be forced to spend at least the next four weeks on IR. As a result, Taylor Heinicke is expected to replace him under center, with rookie fifth-round pick Sam Howell providing depth.

Wentz, who underwent surgery on his right ring finger Monday, will sit out at least Week 7 against the Packers, and the Commanders have yet to make a call on an IR stint for the quarterback, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Placing Wentz on injured reserve would result in at least four games on the sideline, so it's understandable Washington will hold off on an immediate decision on that front. In any case, he's now on to the recovery phase from the injury that he sustained last Thursday in Chicago. While Wentz sits out, the Commanders will turn to Taylor Heinicke under center, with rookie fifth-round pick Sam Howell in reserve.

Wentz had surgery on the broken ring finger on his right hand Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Wentz picked up the injury during the Commanders' Week 6 win at Chicago. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Wentz is expected to be sidelined 4-to-6 weeks following the procedure, allowing backup Taylor Heinicke to direct the offense for at least the next few games.