Return timetable for Commanders’ Carson Wentz revealed

For the second straight year, a quarterback the Washington Commanders went out and acquired in the offseason has suffered a serious injury. Last year, Ryan Fitzpatrick play less than two quarters before a hip subluxation ended his season. This season, Carson Wentz suffered a fractured finger that will sideline him indefinitely.

Wentz suffered the injury in Washington’s Week 6 win over the Bears as his hand collided with Chicago defensive lineman Justin Jones on a pass attempt. Wentz was in visible discomfort, but remained in the game and delivered a crucial block on a Brian Robinson rush that set up the rookie’s game-winning TD.

It was reported over the weekend Wentz suffered a fractured ring finger and would visit a hand specialist in Los Angeles on Monday.

Well, the verdict is in and while it’s not a doomsday scenario, Wentz will undergo surgery and faces a 4-6 spell on the sidelines, per NFL Network.

Commanders’ Carson Wentz out 4-6 weeks with fractured ring finger.

This is brutal news for Wentz, who’s trying to prove himself as the Commanders’ quarterback of the future. The 29-year-old has had his ups and downs this season, as he has three separate games with 300 passing yards and two or more touchdowns. In his other three outings, Wentz is averaging 160 yards and 3.93 yards per attempt for one touchdown and two interceptions.

Will Wentz suit up again for Washington? That depends how the team performs in his absence, which brings us to Taylor Heinicke, who won the backup job over Sam Howell this offseason, though there was never really an open competition.

Heinicke started 15 games filling in for Fitzpatrick last season, so the former undrafted quarterback is no stranger to this type of situation. Heinicke led Washington to seven wins, throwing for 3,419 and 20 scores to 15 interceptions while leading three fourth-quarter comebacks and four game-winning drives.

Heinicke is suddenly tasked with saving the Commanders’ season. The team improved to 2-4 with its win over the Bears, but faces a pivotal four-game stretch with Wentz shelved. In order, Washington will host the Packers, travel to Indianapolis, and return home to play the now-5-1 Vikings before traveling to the City of Brotherly Love to play the undefeated Eagles on Monday Night Football.

From there, they play at Houston and home vs the Falcons.

Will the Commanders still be relevant by the time Wentz returns? Or will it be time to deploy rookie fifth-round pick Sam Howell? Whatever happens, Wentz’s injury severely hurts his chances to return to Washington in 2023.