Matty Ice is hitting the pine.
The Colts announced Monday that Sam Ehlinger is getting the start in Week 8 against the Commanders, and that Matt Ryan will be out for the game with a Grade 2 shoulder separation.
“Right now the move is for Sam to be the starter for the rest of the season,” Colts head coach Frank Reich told reporters on Monday. “It’s a big step but we think he’s ready. This guy’s special. … Sam, he’s got that about him. He plays, he practices in a way he’ll be ready.”
This past offseason, Colts owner Jim Irsay gushed about the acquisition of Ryan compared to last year’s quarterback, Carson Wentz, who was shipped to the Commanders.
However, the Colts have started 3-3-1 and their offense has seemed stuck in the mud. Ryan has averaged 6.8 yards per attempt and has thrown as many interceptions (nine) as touchdown passes.
This is the first career start for Ehlinger, who was drafted by the Colts in the sixth round last year out of Texas. He has appeared in three career games in mop-up duty and never thrown a pass in the NFL.
Matt Ryan was benched by the Colts after a 3-3-1 start. Getty Images“He’ll be ready,” Reich said. “He’ll be ready. Is he gonna make mistakes? Of course he’s gonna make mistakes. But he’s gonna make plays for our offense.”
Nick Foles will back up Ehlinger against Washington.
The Colts are behind the eight-ball, but their season is still salvageable with the right combination of performance and breaks. They are +144 to make the playoffs and -168 to miss — giving them about a 40 percent chance to make the postseason, once vig is taken out — according to the latest odds on FanDuel.
Sam Ehlinger gets his first career start against the Commanders. Getty ImagesIn the AFC South, the Titans are favored to win the division at -145, while the Colts are +210, the Jags are +500 and the Texans are essentially eliminated at +5000 odds.
