Colts QB Carson Wentz still unsure on COVID-19 vaccine after being sidelined by close contact – USA TODAY

How Indianapolis Colts players are handling COVID protocols

Sports Seriously: Mackenzie Salmon caught up with Colts running back Nyheim Hines to talk about his teams reaction to the latest COVID protocols mandated by the league.

USA TODAY

INDIANAPOLIS Carson Wentz spent three days attending Zoom meetings and rehabbing his injured left foot at home.

The Indianapolis Colts quarterback also used the time to think about how to avoid another trip to the reserve/COVID-19 list.

On Thursday, Wentz returned to practice still unvaccinated but with a stronger commitment to the leagues safety protocols after he and two other starters were activated.

Ive weighed a lot of things, Ive factored in everything, he said. I know whats at stake, I know all of those things and like I said, its just where Im at, where Im at with my family. Thats why just understanding the protocol to truly try everything we can to avoid what happened this week, it is what it is. The protocols are in place. So weve got to honor them as best we can so we can avoid what happened.

OPINION: What did you think would happen, Carson Wentz?

OPINION: Bill Belichick irresponsible to mislead about efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines

This was a big week for Wentz for all the wrong reasons.

Coach Frank Reich announced Sunday he wanted to test Wentzs foot to see if it could withstand the rigors of an NFL game. The plan was to use Wentz at all four workouts without limitations for the first time since he had a bone fragment removed Aug. 2.

Instead, team officials were forced to revise the schedule when Wentz, center Ryan Kelly and receiver Zach Pascal were deemed to be close contacts to someone who tested positive for the virus. Because league protocols require unvaccinated players to sit out vaccinated players do not if they continue to test negative a public debate ensued about Wentzs vaccination status and that of the Colts, who have one of the leagues lowest vaccination rates.

While Wentz, Kelly and Pascal were all out Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the former North Dakota State star naturally became the biggest target. Wentz was criticized in the media and by fans who warmly embraced him after being traded from Philadelphia to Indy in March.

Reich even had to come to Wentzs defense Tuesday when he was asked if Wentzs aversion to take the shot demonstrated a lack of leadership.

The questions continued when Wentz returned to the field, still limited though taking most of the first-team snaps.

It felt great to finally get out there in full pads, he said. Obviously, Id hoped to get out there earlier this week.

What everyone wants to know now is whether Wentz will be the starter Sept. 12 against Seattle?

The answer might not come until next Thursday. Indy doesnt practice again until Monday and Wentz hasnt been full-go on consecutive days since late July.

Reich is optimistic.

Hes got to come back Monday and if all goes well then hell go and Wednesday and then well see, he said. The only way that would be inhibited is if he couldnt go Thursday.

The virus isnt the only thing that could put Indy at a disadvantage.

Team officials announced four-time Pro Bowl receiver T.Y. Hilton, third-string quarterback Sam Ehlinger and second-year receiver Dezmon Patmon were put on injured reserve.

Hilton had surgery on a injured disk in his neck earlier this week, a procedure general manager Chris Ballard said gave Hilton instant relief. Theyre not sure how much time hell miss but expect him back later this season.

Ehlinger sprained his right knee in the preseason finale at Detroit. Patmon is out with a foot injury.

And, as the Colts already have learned, vaccinations arent necessarily the answer, either.

Nine players have already been on the COVID-19 list, most as close contacts. Reich missed the first week of training camp and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus missed the first two games after positive tests. Both coaches were fully vaccinated.

I know what it felt like last year to not have the main guys up there, you lose a big game against Tennessee, at home, we should have won and had the division title, unvaccinated All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard said. Were not going to do anything stupid as hell to put our team or our teammates in jeopardy of that.

So while this weeks absence gave Wentz time to rethink his decision and what he could do better, hes yet not ready to get the shots.

This has been a fluid process for me this whole time, he said. Thats kind of where weve been as a family, weve just been monitoring everything we can, letting it play out as long as we can. This is where were at today and things could change in the next coming week, who knows?

Read more from the original source:

Colts QB Carson Wentz still unsure on COVID-19 vaccine after being sidelined by close contact - USA TODAY