Commanders' Ron Rivera doesn't commit to starting healthy Carson Wentz over Taylor Heinicke

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera isn't ready to name a starting quarterback for Week 11 — assuming both Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke are available. 

"You look at what is best for the team and that's how it has to be," Rivera explained after Monday's 32-21 win that improved Washington to 5-5, per John Keim of ESPN. "There's a great saying, 'You treat everyone the same, you treat everyone fair but you treat everyone according to the team.' So the decision will be made about the team first and foremost. Whoever the starter is I will commit to them fully. I don't want them looking over their shoulder."

Wentz hasn't played since he fractured his right ring finger in a 12-7 win over the Chicago Bears on Oct. 13. After Heinicke guided the Commanders to a 23-21 victory over the Green Bay Packers 10 days later, Rivera refused to commit to going back to a healthy Wentz. 

"You have to look at the momentum and what the mood of the team is," Rivera remarked on Tuesday. "There are a lot of factors."

The Commanders were 2-4 when Wentz went down but have since gone 3-1 under Heinicke. That includes a win over the previously unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles. Rivera's decision ultimately could be made for him, as he wasn't able to say for sure that Wentz will be activated off injured reserve ahead of this Sunday's game at the 1-7-1 Houston Texans. 

According to ESPN stats, Wentz is 26th among eligible quarterbacks with an 84.1 passer rating and tied for 29th with a 32.4 total QBR on the season. He threw for 1,489 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions across his first six games. 

To compare, Heinicke has an 82.7 passer rating and 47.2 total QBR in his four starts this fall. He's thrown for 840 yards with five touchdowns and four picks.