Colts: Why team will limit Carson Wentz Week 1 despite ‘100%’ status

There were definitely some bumps along the way, but we made it. For the first time since their gutting playoff loss to Buffalo in January, the Indianapolis Colts will play football, kicking off their regular season against Seattle on Sunday.

For those wondering, no, we aren’t counting the preseason.

There’s a lot to look forward to in this game. How will the Colts plan to contain Russell Wilson? What’s the plan without Xavier Rhodes in the secondary? While both intriguing storylines, they pale in comparison to Carson Wentz’s debut.

At one point, Wentz was considered a longshot to suit up in Week 1 after he underwent foot surgery just days into training camp. However, he made a quicker-than-expected recovery and wasn’t even on the final injury report — and he’ll even have Quenton Nelson active, too, to help protect him.

Wentz won’t have any restrictions, but Frank Reich told reporters on Friday that the Colts won’t fully unleash their franchise quarterback.

Here’s why the Colts will limit Carson Wentz in Week 1.

Don’t get tricked into thinking Wentz isn’t going to play all of the snaps against the Seahawks. Reich is merely saying that he’d prefer it if the 28-year-old (if he can help it) did most of his damage in the pocket as opposed to running around on his surgically-repaired foot, which is still a little sore.

"“As far as what he can do, he can do everything,” Reich said. “What will we actually call? Will we keep the reins on a little bit? Probably. Probably so. I just think that makes sense. I just think we’ll manage it. We’ll be smart. There’s some stuff in (the game plan) that we might call, but if we don’t have to call it — ‘Oh, let’s not take that chance.’ But I think he’s good. Every indication is he’s not limited in any way.”"

Colts fans should be thankful that Reich cleared the air on this.

There’s been a narrative going that Indy is already going to open up the playbook just because Wentz was cleared to play. Given how much Reich and Co. have invested in Wentz, they’re not going to jeopardize his health in the first game of the year. Let’s not forget he’s just six weeks removed from the operation.

Here’s NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero with more on Wentz’s status.

Being limited physically and being limited as it pertains to the Colts’ offensive approach are two entirely different entities.

We’re not saying fans should temper expectations for Wentz. Reich himself admitted that there’s no excuse for him not to perform well. Just don’t expect the Colts signal caller to be lighting it up outside the pocket.

Risk management is the smart play here.

Colts Game Today: Colts vs Seahawks injury report, schedule, live stream, TV channel and betting preview for Week 1 NFL game

Will the Colts take down a Seahawks team that could feast on an ill-equipped Indianapolis defensive backfield? Or will they pull off the upset?