INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts thought Matt Ryan would assist them make a playoff run, perhaps even win a championship.
As a substitute, the bruised and battered 15-year veteran is getting benched.
Coach Frank Reich introduced Monday that second-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger will make his beginning debut Sunday in opposition to the Washington Commanders.
“Proper now, the transfer is for Sam to be the starter the remainder of the season,” Reich mentioned. “It is a large step, however we expect he is prepared. This man’s particular. You all realize it, all people is aware of it. Simply discuss to anyone in that locker room.”
The transfer comes in the future after a 19-10 loss at Tennessee left Indy 1 1/2 video games behind the Titans within the AFC South. Ryan threw two interceptions and was sacked thrice, the primary apparently leading to a separated throwing shoulder late within the first half.
He was 18 of 21 with 123 yards and one landing within the second half, however could not full his fourth fourth-quarter comeback this season. Even when Ryan wasn’t damage, Reich mentioned, the choice would have been the identical.
“The shoulder harm is actual, however this transfer was going to be made both manner,” he mentioned.
Ryan didn’t communicate with reporters Monday. He’s often obtainable on Wednesdays.
Indy (3-3-1) despatched a third-round draft choose to Atlanta for the 37-year-old Ryan in March.
Common supervisor Chris Ballard thought Ryan was taking part in properly as not too long ago as final season and in April, group proprietor Jim Irsay mentioned he thought Ryan may make the Colts a contender for as much as 4 extra years.
However this season has not gone the best way many anticipated.
Ryan has thrown 9 interceptions and has 11 fumbles, each league highs.
The Colts’ often robust offensive line has struggled, permitting 59 hits and 24 sacks — tied with Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow for essentially the most within the NFL getting into Monday.
And with Indy’s historically robust floor recreation turning into ineffective, Ryan has thrown extra passes (297) than anybody apart from Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (308).
The mixture has made Indy the NFL’s fourth-lowest scoring group,
16.1 factors, and in want of a change.
“Excited for Sam and the chance this presents him,” Reich mentioned. “We have all the time thought Sam had some particular sauce. We really feel that is the very best determination for our group.”
Ehlinger’s stunning ascent on the depth chart has come quickly.
The previous Texas star was a sixth-round choose in 2021, however opened his rookie season on injured reserve due to an injured knee. In October that season, he beat out Jacob Eason for the No. 3 job and wound up showing in three video games although Ehlinger didn’t throw a move.
A formidable second preseason had some overtly questioning whether or not the 6-foot-1, 222-pound Ehlinger could supplant Tremendous Bowl 52 MVP Nick Foles, a longtime good friend of Reich’s, at No. 2.
Reich made that transfer earlier than the Week 6 victory over Jacksonville and stored Ehlinger within the backup spot Sunday.
Ehlinger thought the transfer was made primarily for utilizing him for just a few performs.
“We have not mentioned a bundle this week, so I do not know what the plan for that’s,” Ehlinger mentioned final Wednesday. “Final week, there have been just a few conditions we talked about. Clearly, did not find yourself operating any of them.”
One other good week of follow continued to show heads contained in the group and when Ryan struggled once more Sunday, Reich, Irsay and Ballard huddled once more to debate the transfer.
Reich mentioned he informed the quarterbacks and their teammates Monday and that Ryan responded like a professional, promising to assist the Colts. The hope is Ehlinger’s mobility may also help him evade move rushers, make performs down the sector and make performs along with his legs.
“I believe it is an important determination for us to have Sam again there, the best way he is come alongside and made performs,” defensive deal with Grover Stewart mentioned. “I believe it is a good determination for us.”
Ehlinger would be the seventh totally different beginning quarterback Reich has utilized in his five-year tenure with the Colts.
Ryan ranks among the many NFL’s high 10 all time in yards passing, profession completions and fourth-quarter comebacks, a late-game mastery that earned reward from Reich simply final week.
And with one other 12 months left on Ryan’s contract, doubtlessly costing the Colts $21.7 million in 2023, Ryan could now not be a part of Indy’s long-term plan, both.
“I informed this to Matt, ‘We didn’t maintain up our finish of the cut price right here. I imply, you got here right here and we promised you one of many high NFL dashing video games and we promised you nice safety, and we’ve not actually, as an offense, delivered on that, and that begins with me,’” Reich mentioned. “We thought the wedding of Matt Ryan and his historical past with our operating recreation, we simply thought there was going to be a pure marriage.”
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws over Tennessee Titans linebacker Bud Dupree (48) throughout the first half of an NFL soccer recreation Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. The move was intercepted by Tennessee Titans security Andrew Adams and run again for a landing. (AP Picture/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan (2) shake fingers following an NFL soccer recreation Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans received 19-10. (AP Picture/Mark Zaleski)