Colts' Jacob Eason to start, play most of first half vs. Panthers

Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback Carson Wentz remains sidelined until further notice as he recovers from foot surgery, and his status for the regular-season opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 12 is, at the very least, up in the air heading into the weekend. 

2020 fourth-round draft pick Jacob Eason and 2021 sixth-round draft selection Sam Ehlinger are competing for the right to temporarily replace Wentz atop the depth chart, and Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk noted Friday that Colts coach Frank Reich told reporters Eason will start Sunday's preseason matchup against the Carolina Panthers and play the majority of the first half. 

From there, Ehlinger would be in line to start and play "a quarter and a half" in the exhibition game against the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 21. 

These won't be meaningless reps for either signal-caller, as Reich and company must know what they have or don't have in the backups before the end of the month. Colts owner Jim Irsay said Thursday the club won't rush Wentz back until the former Philadelphia Eagles starter is "100%" and fully recovered, so the Colts may have to go shopping for a proven commodity via free agency or the trade market if both Eason and Ehlinger underwhelm when the results of contests don't matter.