Quarterback Carson Wentz has once again lost his starting job with the Washington Commanders.
According to the ESPN network, head coach Ron Rivera decided to leave his veteran on the bench on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys for his last game of 2022.
Taylor Heinicke will start the game behind center and freshman Sam Howell is also expected to play at some point in the game.
Last week, the Commanders (7-8-1) relied on Wentz in a game they couldn’t lose against the Cleveland Browns if they wanted to get their playoff ticket.
Washington’s squad was down 24-10 and the starter completed just 57% of his passes for 143, in addition to being the victim of three interceptions.
Wentz was the Commanders’ man at the start of the season, but fractured a finger in week six. That opened the door for Heinicke, who has won five of his nine starts in 2022. The former Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts returned to the fray on December 24, during a duel against the San Francisco.
On Monday, Rivera defended his decision to trust Wentz against the Browns.
“We were 0-2-1 in our last three games, that’s what really pushed me to do it, that’s what I considered, he said in conference Press. After the last quarter against the 49ers, I was pretty optimistic about what Carson could do.”
The Commanders acquired Wentz from the Colts last offseason. The 30-year-old pivot has a valid contract until the conclusion of the 2024 campaign and is due to receive around $26 million next year.
Jim Harbaugh thinks he’ll stay at Michigan
Jim Harbaugh admitted that several NFL teams have contacted him for their vacant head coaching position, but he believes he will remain the coach of the University of Michigan Wolverines.
“Even though no one knows the future, I think I’m going to coach in Michigan next year,” the 59-year-old told Queen City News.
Recently, the ESPN network reported that the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers had contacted Harbaugh.
The native of Toledo, Ohio has been in charge of the Wolverines since the 2015 campaign. He previously served as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014. He maintained a record of 44-19-1 and made the playoffs three times in four NFL seasons.
Last year, Harbaugh got an interview for the vacancy with the Minnesota Vikings. The latter, however, preferred Kevin O’Connell. After he didn’t get the job, he said he wouldn’t be looking for a head coaching opportunity on the Goodell circuit.
Dolphins: A No. 3 quarterback to save the season?
With the Miami Dolphins’ first two quarterbacks absent, Skylar Thompson took part in rehearsals with the first team during Wednesday’s practice. The pivot who will face the New York Jets on Sunday has not yet been announced.
The Dolphins’ number one quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, is still subject to the NFL’s concussion protocol. There is no scheduled date on the calendar for his return according to head coach Mike McDaniel.
For his part, Teddy Bridgewater continues to practice with a dislocated little finger on his strong hand. The Dolphins pilot mentioned that he is able to perform ball handling drills but is still unable to throw the ball. He hurt his finger in Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots. His status for his team’s final regular-season game is uncertain.
“What I do know is that nothing is more important to [Teddy] than to make himself available to the team, McDaniel told ESPN. It’s hard to know anything until he can throw the ball.”
“I think his availability is the main concern, even if he can’t start the game, the past has shown this year that we haven’t had a game yet that hasn’t been started by Tua and that has was finished by the same quarterback,” added the 39-year-old.
If Bridgewater can’t be available for the next match, Florida have brought in Mike Glennon who is currently on the club’s training squad.
The former third-round pick has 31 career starts in 10 NFL seasons, including four for the New York Giants last season.
The Dolphins had a tough December with five straight losses, but they can still clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Jets and a loss for the “Pats” to the Buffalo Bills.
Justin Fields au repos
The Chicago Bears will not play quarterback Justin Fields on Sunday in their final game of the 2022 season.
That’s what head coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday, specifying that Nathan Peterman would get the start against the Minnesota Vikings.
Fields is suffering from a hip injury. The Bears don’t want to take any risks with the player they selected as the 11th overall pick in the 2021 draft, who are guaranteed to miss the playoffs for the second straight season.
In 15 games this season, the 23-year-old athlete completed 60.4% of the passes he attempted for 2,242 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was also the victim of 11 interceptions.
Fields particularly stood out with his ability to run with the ball in hand. He had 1,143 yards and crossed the goal line eight times.
For his part, Peterman will get his first start in 2022. The pivot has not started a game since his stay with the Buffalo Bills in 2018.