The Indianapolis Colts added three starters — quarterback Carson Wentz, wide receiver Zach Pascal and center Ryan Kelly — to the reserve/COVID-19 list Aug. 30.
The earliest players can return after going on the list is five days. That’s if they haven’t tested positive but were a close contact to someone who tested positive. Only unvaccinated players can be considered close contacts.
Unvaccinated players who test positive must isolate for 10 days.
The team didn’t immediately say if Wentz, Pascal and Kelly are only close contacts or if they tested positive. Tom Pelissero with NFL Network reported all three players were close contacts to a staff member who tested positive.
Wentz previously declined to say if he’s vaccinated, calling it a personal decision. Backup quarterback Jacob Eason is fully vaccinated and will take the first-team reps with Wentz out.
The Colts have one of the lowest vaccination rates in the league. About 75% of the team has been vaccinated, head coach Frank Reich said.
The league has not mandated vaccines, but the incentive is clear: If a game is canceled because of a COVID-19 outbreak, and the game can’t be rescheduled within the 18-week season, the team with the outbreak will be credited with a loss, and the other team will get a win.
The Colts went 4-0 in the preseason and open the regular season Sept. 12 against Seattle.
Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick.
