Will he, or won’t he?

That’s the question regarding Carson Wentz and a whole lot of Indianapolis Colts as they aim to clinch a playoff spot Sunday at home against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Wentz, whose mostly mistake-free play at quarterback has helped Indianapolis rebound from an 0-3 start to pull within a game of the Tennessee Titans in the AFC South, was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday. The team has put 15 players on the list in the last week.

If he emerges from protocol by kickoff, Wentz could still play. With the Colts holding all meetings virtually this week, Wentz can still prepare for the game as though he’s going to play.

Should Wentz not get clearance, rookie Sam Ehlinger will make his first career start in a pressurized situation against a team making its own playoff push. Not optimal by any means, but coach Frank Reich has confidence Ehlinger can get the job done if his number is called.

It will help that Ehlinger will take all the practice reps this week with Wentz isolating at home.

“It’s a great opportunity for Sam,” Reich said. “He’s been getting his share of reps and a lot of scout-team reps and all the fundamental and technique work. So, this will be a good opportunity for him to get the team reps.”

Reich confirmed on Wednesday that he talked to 17-year NFL quarterback Philip Rivers, who retired after playing for Indianapolis last year, about coming out of retirement. But Rivers, now a high school football coach in Alabama, is not planning to return to action.

Whoever runs the offense, Indianapolis’ goal will stay the same. It will build its attack around running back Jonathan Taylor, the NFL’s leading rusher, and then try to sting Las Vegas with play-action throws down the field.

Taylor and his 1,626 yards have been a prime reason why the Colts (9-6) are considered dangerous if they make the postseason. He compiled 108 yards on 27 carries on Christmas night in a 22-16 win at Arizona.

That the Raiders (8-7) are still in contention might be surprising to some who thought their chances were toast after losing five of six games. But consecutive wins over fellow playoff hopefuls Cleveland and Denver have revived their chances.

Las Vegas’ defense, which has been middle-of-the-pack in terms of yards allowed per game, saved its best game for last week’s 17-13 decision over the Broncos. It limited Denver to 18 yards on the ground and 158 yards total, permitting only eight first downs.

Interim coach Rich Bisaccia praised his team’s approach to preparing for games as though things were normal in a period where the pandemic is rearranging rosters and depth charts daily.

“We haven’t been exempt from it, what happened to us last week, and we’re certainly expecting things to happen as the week goes on,” he said. “The mentality we’re going to have right now is everybody practices to play.”

The Raiders lead the all-time series 9-8, although Indianapolis routed them 44-27 on Dec. 13, 2020 in Las Vegas.

–Field Level Media