Colts place Carson Wentz on reserve/COVID-19 list

Keeping up with the NFL’s COVID list these days is like trying to recite the lyrics to Billy Joel’s ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’ backwards.

But its newest addition (at least as of this posting), Colts quarterback Carson Wentz, is particularly notable. Wentz is first and foremost not vaccinated. As it stands, assuming Wentz tested positive for COVID, he would be sidelined for 10 days. The 9-6 Colts are hanging are in the throes of the AFC’s tight playoff race. They currently hold the number 5 seed but there are three 8-7 teams outside salivating to get in, including the Raiders who they face this week. That means the Colts’ playoff hopes may rest on the arm of rookie Sam Ehlinger who was drafted in the sixth round and has seen virtually no action this season.

However, Colts fans may have a stroke of good luck on the docket. According to a number of reporters, the NFL and NFLPA are close to adopting the CDC’s new quarantine guidelines which reduce the quarantine period of those testing positive from ten to five days. This even applies to the unvaccinated. But for Wentz to make a quick return, these guidelines would need to become official in the next few days, he would need to show no symptoms, and, of course, would need to produce a negative test before rejoining the team.

Another silver lining for the Colts is that like all players who test positive, Wentz will have a 90 day reprieve from COVID testing. That means no more tests until after the Super Bowl.

Per usual, the goalposts of COVID are always on the move, in both the NFL and life.