Ravens could stand to benefit from Carson Wentz injury

Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Carson Wentz is out indefinitely due to a foot injury suffered in last week’s training camp practice, which means the Baltimore Ravens can feel a bit better about the start of their season.

No matter what anyone says about Wentz being a flaky dud, his injury should be good news for Baltimore, who play the Colts in Week 5.

To be clear, the Ravens are not a mean or vicious franchise, nor are they complete schadenfreudes. But Baltimore can take small solace in the fact that they likely won’t play against the Colts’ quarterback who was expected to do great things this year.

The once-ceremonious Wentz has played only two full seasons in his pro career due to injuries, and after sustaining his most recent foot injury, he will be out anywhere from five to 12 weeks, per ESPN’s Mike Wells.

Wentz’s reunion with former offensive coordinator Frank Reich could make Indy a very formidable team this year, and while no one should be celebrating another player’s injury, the Ravens can at least feel more confident about their own lineup.

The Colts have one of the deepest squads in the league heading into 2021, and the Ravens just may have found Indy’s one fatal flaw at quarterback.

Following Wentz’s injury, second-year player Jacob Eason, rookie Sam Ehlinger, and newly signed Brett Hundley will fight for the Colts’ first-team snaps.

Baltimore Ravens could play (and win) against a Carson Wentz-less Colts in 2021.

If the Ravens pass rush corps, led by the newly-signed Justin Houston, does its jobs and successfully pressure whoever ends up playing QB for the Colts, the Ravens should be able to lock up Indy’s offensive production.

The Colts do boast a strong offensive line headed by Quenton Nelson, but then again, the offensive line can only do so much.

As purist football fans, we were truly looking forward to the intense quarterback battle between Lamar Jackson and Wentz. With Wentz’s injury, though, the battle just got a whole lot easier for Jackson.

Give him a few runs and have him throw for some touchdowns, make the Colts’ offense scramble and panic, and the Ravens come away with a solid home victory.

The Ravens defeated the Colts last season 24-10, in which a late fourth-quarter surge by Jackson and a Justin Tucker field goal secured the win.

Jackson passed for 170 yards and rushed for 58 yards and one touchdown, but the Colts had equally dangerous players.

Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. recorded four receptions for 56 yards, and players like Jordan Wilkins and Jonathan Taylor rivaled the Ravens’ rushing game with a team total of 112 rushing yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

Historically, the Colts have had the upper hand, besting Baltimore in the previous four out of five matchups. When the two teams face each other in 2021, the Ravens should get a slight advantage given the Colts’ sudden quarterback fiasco.

Will it be enough?

Wishing Wentz the speediest of recoveries, but at the same time, also wishing that Jackson and the Ravens steamroll their opponents this season. It’s the conflict of interest for us.