While Nelson has established himself as an exceptional talent at his position and is capable of overcoming any bumps and bruises accrued over the course of a 17-game season, the same cannot be said for Wentz.
During his stint with the Philadelphia Eagles, Wentz’s lengthy injury history cost him a lot of playing time.
After a catastrophic 2020 campaign in which he forced his way out of Philadelphia, Wentz will be eager to shed his injury-prone reputation and show he can thrive in a reunion with Reich.
The Colts have one of the best-built organizations in the league, so Wentz’s return is unlikely to be a disaster.
They must, however, be patient and keep in mind the long-term vision, not only for the coming years, but also for the 2021 season as a whole.
With an extra game on the schedule, Wentz will have his work cut out for him if he wants to play the entire season.
If Ehlinger or Eason can step in for a week or two and help the club play winning football while relying on Jonathan Taylor’s rushing assault and a strong Colts defense, it may buy Wentz some time to recover.
It’s also worth noting that Wentz’s injury is tied to a preexisting sickness, whereas Nelson’s isn’t.
All the more reason to be extra cautious if at all possible.
Additionally, the AFC South is one of the poorest divisions in the league, so as long as Wentz doesn’t miss more than two games and continues to perform at the level he did under Reich’s tutelage with the Eagles, Indy may still be in contention for the playoffs and the division title.
