Carson Wentz to sit, Commanders to start rookie QB Sam Howell

Rookie fifth-round pick Sam Howell is set for an audition as the Washington Commanders continue to shuffle the deck at quarterback. Commanders head coach Ron Rivera named Howell the starting QB for the season finale with Washington eliminated from playoff consideration. "We feel this is an opportunity to give Sam a chance to show us what he's capable of," Rivera said Wednesday, adding that he talked to coaches and team leaders about the decision. "The opportunity is gonna be a good one for him to go out and play football and just kind of show us," Rivera said. "We're not gonna judge everything on Sam based on just one game. We are gonna get an opportunity to see him, see how he prepares and gives himself an opportunity to play." Carson Wentz, who started last week after Taylor Heinicke played in nine games while Wentz recovered from a broken bone in his finger, will be inactive for Week 18 when the Commanders (7-8-1) welcome the Dallas Cowboys. Heinicke will be the primary backup to Howell in a reversal. "I had thought about going with Taylor and actually talked to him about that," Rivera said. "After having an opportunity to rethink ... it really came down to finding out about the young man. He was excited." Howell last played in the preseason finale, taking every snap against the Baltimore Ravens. Washington quarterbacks have combined for 23 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and have been sacked 45 times in 2022. Wentz threw three interceptions and completed 16 of 28 passes for 143 yards in a loss to the Cleveland Browns last week. Rivera picked Wentz for the start after weighing whether to stick with Heinicke, who had only one turnover and a combined passer rating of 105 in his previous three games. The Commanders traded for Wentz after Heinicke led the team in passing in 2021 with 3,419 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Given the run of stopgap solutions, another spin on the QB carousel appears imminent for the Commanders, unless Howell proves a draft steal and nails down the job. Alex Smith led Washington in passing yards and attempts in 2020. It was Case Keenum in 2019, Smith in 2018 and Kirk Cousins (2017, 2016). The Commanders also announced several roster moves. They placed LB De'Jon Harris on injured reserve, signed LB Nathan Gerry from the practice squad, signed LB Ferrod Gardner to the practice squad, and activated G Nolan Laufenberg from IR to the practice squad. --Field Level Media