Sam Ehlinger is the new starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts.
The 2021 sixth-round pick will make his first career NFL start in Week 8 against the visiting Washington Commanders.
Veteran starter Matt Ryan, acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons in the offseason, heads to the bench after suffering a shoulder sprain in Sunday’s setback at Tennessee.
Regardless of Ryan’s injury status, coach Frank Reich said the time is right to make a change for the Colts (3-3-1).
“Right now the move is for Sam to be the starter the rest of the season,” Reich told reporters Monday.
Ehlinger, 24, has not played a snap this season and has never attempted a pass in a regular season game. He gained 9 yards on three rushing attempts in three brief appearances as a rookie in 2021.
Ryan will not practice this week and veteran Nick Foles will be Ehlinger’s backup against the Commanders (3-4).
Ryan, 37, completed 33 of 44 passes for 243 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday’s 19-10 loss to the Titans. He has completed 68.4 percent of his passes for 2,008 yards, with nine TDs and a league-high nine interceptions in seven starts this season.
The Colts traded a 2022 third-round pick to the Falcons to acquire the former league MVP on March 21. Indianapolis fully guaranteed Ryan’s $24.7 million salary for this season and $12 million of his 2023 salary when he arrived, according to Spotrac.
Reich said the Colts did not provide Ryan with enough pieces to be successful.
“We didn’t deliver,” Reich said.
–Field Level Media