Colts' Wentz to start opener after recovering from foot surgery

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz will start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks after recovering from preseason foot surgery, the team announced Friday.

Cornerback Xavier Rhodes and linebacker Kemoko Turay were ruled out due to injuries, as was offensive tackle Eric Fisher, who's recovering from a torn Achilles.

Wentz will debut for the Colts after missing all three preseason games. He returned to practice three weeks before the opener, but Indianapolis said it wouldn't rush him back.

The 28-year-old will take to the field looking to rebound from a nightmarish 2020 season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Wentz co-led the NFL in interceptions and ranked 34th in passer rating before the Eagles benched him for Jalen Hurts.

Indianapolis acquired Wentz in an offseason trade after Philip Rivers retired on the heels of an 11-win season. The Colts have been searching for a long-term answer at quarterback since Andrew Luck stunningly retired during the 2019 preseason.

Wentz was an MVP candidate in 2017, but a torn ACL late that season forced him to miss the Eagles' championship run. The North Dakota State product struggled with injuries throughout his career in Philadelphia.