Commanders' Ron Rivera apologizes to Carson Wentz for 'QB' remark

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Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera apologized to quarterback Carson Wentz for comments that he said were misconstrued, regarding why there's a gulf between his team and its rivals.

Rivera said he thinks they're ready to roll after having a nice discussion.

He talked to his team about what he said. The Commanders were 1-4 in Rivera's third season compared to the other teams in the division all being at least 4-2. Rivera said "Quarterback."

He said the other team's quarterbacks had been in place longer than the one in Washington. Rivera said the quarterback is getting comfortable in the offense and with his teammates, despite the Commanders trading for him. According to Rivera, they now have a quarterback.

Alex Smith ripped his former coach after his initial one-word answer.

He didn't know what had been said until he was told by a team spokesman. He didn't pay much attention to what Rivera said.

"I'm not overly concerned about it, it was addressed by the coach and he handled it well," he said. The coach is very straightforward. In what he meant by it all, he addressed it in the meeting. I think I'm very confident in that.

Rivera wanted to address the entire team because he understood why his comments were seen in a negative way.

I told them that I said things that were not true. He said that it was his responsibility. I told the guys I didn't know as much as I should. I had a bad day so I decided to move on.

Rivera worried that his words would become a distraction when the Commanders play the Bears Thursday. The players understood what Rivera was talking about.

Washington backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke said that they all assumed that was the case. He cleared that up this morning. The man has broad shoulders. It was a big deal for the whole team. It was good to hear from him.

Heinicke said that he wasn't aware of the controversy that was created. Heinicke played in a tough media market.

Everything else is easy if you play in Philadelphia.

Charles Leno Jr. said Rivera's words were well received.

Leno said that he never said anything underneath the table or back door. I appreciate his words and he is always straightforward.

On the injury report for Thursday night's game, there is a shoulder injury for the quarterback. The Commanders had held a full practice each of the past two days and the injury report indicated that he would have been a limited participant.

It feels good, but I don't know when it happened. It feels great." It was a Monday after a game.

The shoulder was sore after the team's loss to Tennessee. He claimed that he took all his snaps in practice.

Rivera said that he was okay. I do not think it will be a problem.

The AP contributed.