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Carson Wentz received devastating news following the Washington Commanders' victory in Week 6 of the 2022 NFL season against the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. While he helped the Commanders earn a much-needed win, it came at a great cost.
Wentz fractured his ring finger during the game and is expected to miss at least the next four to six weeks of action. The fracture was revealed immediately after the game and was later officially diagnosed after visiting a hand specialist in the days following the injury.
The Commanders must now replace Carson Wentz for at least the next month as they look to build off their Week 6 victory and climb back into NFL playoff contention. Here are three potential options for them to consider as a replacement.
#1 - Carson Wentz's current backup Taylor Heinicke
Taylor Heinicke served as the Washington Commanders' starting quarterback for almost the entire 2021 NFL season prior to Carson Wentz's arrival during the 2022 offseason. He recorded respectable numbers, completing 65 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Many around the NFL believed Heinicke had played well enough to deserve another year as the starter, but the Commanders decided to acquire Carson Wentz via trade from the Indianapolis Colts instead. Circumstances may have given Heinicke another chance to prove his worth. He knows their offensive system well, so it would likely be a smooth transition.
#2 - Cam Newton reunites with Ron Rivera
Head coach Ron Rivera and quarterback Cam Newton once formed a successful duo with the Carolina Panthers. At the peak of their run, they made an appearance in the Super Bowl while Newton won an NFL MVP award. He is currently one of the best available free agents from limited options, so maybe the Commanders can take a chance on him to fill in for Carson Wentz.
Desparate times call for desparate measures, as the saying goes, and that's the situation Ron Rivera is currently facing. The Commanders are in serious danger of missing out on the NFL playoffs for a second straight season and his role as the head coach could be in jeopardy. To save the Commanders' season and potentially his job, Riverboat Ron might take a gamble on Cam Newton.
#3 - NFL trade candidate Mason Rudolph
Mason Rudolph is one of the most likely quarterbacks to be traded brior to the November 1st trade deadline during the 2022 NFL season. He fell to the third-string quarterback on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster after they selected Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft and signed Mitchell Trubisky during the free agency period.
Rudolph is in the final year of his contract with the Steelers, further increasing his chances of being traded. He is unlikely to be on their roster next season, so they might as well try to get a late-round draft pick for him now. The Commanders could use Rudolph to temporarily replace Carson Wentz and won't be forced into keeping him beyond this season.
