INDIANAPOLIS -- The Colts' quarterback Carson Wentz, Pro Bowl centre Ryan Kelly, and receiver Zach Pascal were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 roster, the team announced Monday.
After being in close contact with a Colts employee who had tested positive, the three players were put on the COVID-19-list. A source said to ESPN's Dan Graziano. If they have continued to show symptoms and continue to have negative results, the players may return within five days. They were not vaccinated against the coronavirus. The three close contacts who were put on the list are an indication that they have not been vaccinated.
Wentz answered the question "That's a personal choice."
Since the beginning of training camp, the Colts have been hard hit by players who were placed on the COVID-19 roster. After Quenton Nelson, a guard, was found to have been in close contact with a positive test, they removed him from the COVID-19 list. Eric Fisher, left tackle, is currently in recovery from a torn Achilles and was placed on the COVID-19 List on August 26. T.J. Carrie (cornerback), Julien Davenport (offensive lineman), Al-Quadin Muhammad (defensive lineman), and Xavier Rhodes (cornerback) have all been on the COVID-19 list. At different times during training camp, Frank Reich, the head coach, and Matt Eberflus (defensive coordinator) were positive for COVID-19.
Reich was asked about his concern regarding close-contact COVID-19 cases after the team's last-weekend finale in Detroit.
The coach stated, "I don’t like to play that particular card, but it is what is,” It does. It shows that players can have close contact with a player and not have it. However, that can happen in many different ways. We will continue to educate players. I respect and greatly respect each player's choice. We will continue to educate and offer any advice we can. While we recommend that all players be vaccinated at least once a year, we also respect each player's choice.
After his Aug. 2 left foot surgery, Wentz was expected to have a busy week of practice. Reich stated Sunday that Wentz was now able to participate in the team practice portion. He hopes to be back in the Colts' first game against Seattle. Jacob Eason, a second-year quarterback, will take the first-team snaps. Brett Hundley will be the backup until Wentz returns.
The Colts have one of the lowest rates of vaccinated NFL players. Jim Irsay was annoyed by this before training camp began.
You should get vaccinated. It's the best option," Irsay stated last month. There are risks to all choices, there is no doubt. You respect people's individual decisions for their own health. But it makes the most sense. I don’t think that you could debate this topic at Yale and Harvard. I think whoever argued that vaccination was the smartest and most logical decision to make at this time, I don’t think they could argue against it. There are always risks in all aspects of life. However, getting vaccinated is the right decision.
