Colts: Is Colin Cowherd’s theory about Carson Wentz valid?

The Indianapolis Colts knew what they were getting into when they traded for Carson Wentz in the offseason, but general manager Chris Ballard likely figured one of the best offensive lines in the league would help the concerns regarding his injury history.

Unfortunately, before he could even log a true rep with the team, he needed foot surgery. Even worse, the offensive line has been banged up to the point where the unit is having a tough time protecting anything. Nobody had planned for this.

After Week 2, Wentz is dealing with TWO ankle sprains thanks to the beatings he took against the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams, with both defenses combining to hit him 21 times. Aaron Donald’s tackle late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game did Wentz in.

It’s unclear how long he’ll be out for, but it’s no secret Wentz’s somewhat reckless style of play coupled with the lack of protection has led to this. And famed sports personality Colin Cowherd has a theory about Wentz’s injury troubles, and he believes it has more to do with the former issue than anything else.

Colin Cowherd has a theory about Colts QB Carson Wentz’s injury troubles.

Cowherd believes Wentz is unable to have the “recklessness” coached out of him, unlike some other quarterbacks, such as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Sam Darnold. Cowherd added that a lot of the hits Wentz took on Sunday were “self-inflicted.”

He might be right. Wentz, at times, does hold onto the ball a bit longer than many would prefer in the name of trying to make the big play. Then again, some of Wentz’s injuries really have had nothing to do with his aggression.

His ACL tear in 2017 came on a touchdown run where he took a borderline cheap shot to the knee. He was inches away from crossing the goal line and Rams safety Mark Barron laid a wildly unnecessary low hit on Wentz. His concussion in 2019 was the result of a cheap shot from Jadeveon Clowney, who hit him FROM BEHIND after Wentz had given himself up.

The 2018 back injury? He supposedly played through that for most of the year after helping the Eagles get into the playoffs. The endless hits he took in 2020 that eventually cost him his job were the result of an inadequate offensive line that couldn’t stay healthy. We’re not saying Wentz doesn’t put himself in precarious situations … but we are saying he’s perhaps forced into more precarious situations than the average quarterback.

Take the start of this season, for example. As we said, the Colts offensive line has played a leading role in getting him crushed thus far. What’s he supposed to do? Throw the ball away the second he feels the pressure?

Some fans would sure love to see him take the loss and maybe throw the ball away a few times, but we’re talking about a mobile quarterback who’s a competitor. You think he’s really going to lie down simply because every possible opportunity doesn’t present itself on a silver platter each time he drops back to pass? Come on.

There’s a happy medium to be had here. Wentz isn’t overly reckless, he doesn’t always have the best judgment, and every situation he’s put in isn’t exactly favorable. How does this get fixed? Honestly … we don’t know.

Colts: Carson Wentz’s injury somehow worse than it seemed Sunday

Carson Wentz's injury is somehow worse than it seemed on Sunday, as the Colts quarterback is dealing with two separate ankle sprains.