[brid autoplay=”true” video=”858053″ player=”23231″ title=”10%20bold%20predictions%20for%202021%20NFL%20season” duration=”223″ description=”The 2021 NFL season is slated to get started Thursday when Tom Brady and the reigning champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Dallas Cowboys. Both teams hope to be in the championship conversation in 2021. For Dallas, that will have to include Dak Prescott remaining healthy.Another season that will certainly be defined somewhat by the pandemic also includes a number of young players set to make their marks. This includes second-year quarterback Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow attempting to take that next step. These are among the individuals and teams we look at in giving you our 10 bold predictions for the 2021 NFL season.” uploaddate=”2021-09-06″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/858053_t_1630956328.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/858053.mp4″]
The Indianapolis Colts’ offense will be at full tilt for Week 1’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, as All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson has been given the green light to play.
ESPN insider Chris Mortensen reported the news of Nelson suiting up for the Colts’ season opener, as he joins new quarterback Carson Wentz in the lineup:
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Both Wentz and Nelson suffered similar foot injuries during training camp, and it was believed that both of them would miss time in the regular season after they both underwent surgery. Furthermore, Nelson was dealing with back issues, as Mortensen cited in his Saturday report.
But all those setbacks seem to be behind Nelson and Wentz, at least for now.
While Indianapolis could’ve conceivably gotten by with backup QB Jacob Eason, as long as a heavy emphasis was on the Jonathan Taylor-led rushing attack, taking the field without Nelson against the Seahawks could’ve been ugly.
Seahawks vs Colts: Week 1 NFL preview
Wentz in particular has to be grateful for Nelson being ready to roll in the trenches. Ever since being drafted sixth overall in 2018 out of Notre Dame, Nelson has proven to be an elite player, earning first-team All-Pro honors in each of his first three NFL seasons.
The Colts’ success boils down to whether or not Wentz can return to his early-career form, where he looked like an MVP-caliber QB. His reunion with Indianapolis coach Frank Reich should help, but going head-to-head with Seahawks superstar Russell Wilson is not an easy first assignment for 2021.
Click here to see where Quenton Nelson and the Indianapolis Colts fall in our NFL power rankings