The Colts selected Sam Ehlinger in the sixth round of the 2021 draft and selected Jacob Eason in the fourth round of the 2020 draft.? Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

QB Sam Ehlinger suffers sprained knee, out five to six weeks for Colts

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 8/28/21

The Indianapolis Colts cannot catch a break when it comes to quarterback injuries.

Sam Ehlinger suffered a sprained knee and will be sidelined five to six weeks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. So, if Carson Wentz is unavailable for Week 1, Jacob Eason will be Indy's starting quarterback.

Sam Ehlinger suffered a knee sprain and will recover without any medical procedures in about 5-6 weeks, per source. So if Carson Wentz isn’t ready by week 1, it’ll be Jacob Eason instead of Ehlinger.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 28, 2021

Ehlinger suffered the injury in the first half of the Colts' preseason finale against the Detroit Lions on Friday. He finished 3 of 3 for 63 yards, including a 60-yard completion to Dezmon Patmon.

Meanwhile, Wentz underwent foot surgery earlier this month, and his status for Week 1 is unclear. The former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback returned to practice Monday and said he was "optimistic" about playing against the Seattle Seahawks next month.

Ehlinger and Eason were competing to be Wentz's backup this summer. At this point, it seems as if Eason will at least enter the 2021 season on the sideline. It's uncertain if Ehlinger will take over as backup once he's healthy.

The Colts selected Ehlinger in the sixth round of the 2021 draft and selected Eason in the fourth round of the 2020 draft.

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