Ehlinger to start Week 18

Colts interim HC Jeff Saturday said QB Sam Ehlinger will start Sunday's finale vs. the Texans. QB Nick Foles is "really sore" and "in a lot of pain" with the rib injury he suffered in the loss to the Giants, Saturday said. Ehlinger completed 61.5% of his passes and averaged just 5.9 yards per attempt in 2 starts earlier this season.

Colts QB Sam Ehlinger remains the starter going forward, interim HC Jeff Saturday said at his introductory press conference on Monday night. Ehlinger's offense has produced just 19 points over the past 2 weeks. He was ok vs. Washington in Week 8 but face planted against the Patriots this past Sunday, completing 15 of 29 passes for 103 yards, 0 TDs and 1 INT. There are plenty of other issues in Indianapolis, but Ehlinger has not looked like the answer at QB for the Colts so far. QB Matt Ryan has been ruled out of the past 2 games with his right shoulder injury. We'll see if Indianapolis goes back to him once healthy.

Colts QB Sam Ehlinger threw for just 103 yards on 15-of-29 passing in Sunday's loss to the Patriots. He threw an INT and took 9 sacks. Ehlinger did run for 39 yards on 5 attempts to lead Indy in rushing. WR Michael Pittman finished with only 3 catches for 22 yards on a team-high 6 targets. Parris Campbell posted a 2-15 receiving line on 5 targets. WR Alec Pierce drew just 2 looks, catching 1 for 23 yards. A visit to the Raiders lies next on the schedule.

Colts QB Sam Ehlinger threw for 201 yards in his 1st NFL start Sunday against the Commanders and ran for 15 yards on 6 attempts. He took 2 sacks and lost a fumble, but it doesn't sound like he did anything to jeopardize his role. "I thought he threw the ball well, I thought he looked poised, made good decisions, gave us a chance," HC Frank Reich told reporters afterward, according to The AP. "We'll look at the film more closely, but my first impression was that he played well." Ehlinger targeted WR Michael Pittman with 39% of his pass attempts (9 of 23). WR Alec Pierce finished 2nd with 5 targets. WR Parris Campbell garnered just 2 looks. Ehlinger shouldn't be in your fantasy football plans for a Week 9 visit to New England.

Colts HC Frank Reich announced Monday that he'll start QB Sam Ehlinger next Sunday against Washington. It makes sense that Indy would want a change from Matt Ryan's poor play. It's surprising, however, that they're already turning from a high-priced veteran acquired just last offseason to a 6th-round pick from last year who has yet to throw a regular-season pass. Ryan is dealing with a shoulder strain, but Reich says, "Right now the move is for Sam to be the starter for the rest of the season," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Ehlinger did go 24-of-29 passing this preseason for 289 yards (9.97 yards per attempt) and 4 TDs (13.8% rate). Ehlinger will make his starting debut against a Washington defense that has been 7th most friendly to QB scoring this season. We'll see how this goes.

Update: Ian Rapoport reports that it's a Grade 2 shoulder separation for Ryan. Reich, however, announced the plan as a replacement going forward rather than a fill-in assignment.

Citing a team source, Colts beat writer Zak Keefer writes that QB Sam Ehlinger shouldn’t be “ruled out” as a potential starter. The Texas product started for 3+ years but didn’t come off the board until Round 6 of the 2021 draft. He didn't throw a single pass last season. In other words, Indy will surely bring in a veteran and/or an early-round rookie following the Carson Wentz trade. Ehlinger, though, is at least a name to monitor in deep superflex dynasty leagues.