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Commanders bench Heinicke for Wentz, undecided on Week 17 starter

Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Washington Commanders benched quarterback Taylor Heinicke for Carson Wentz in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

The Commanders struggled to move the ball on offense and trailed by 16 points when Wentz entered the game. They went on to lose 37-20.

Heinicke finished the game with 166 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two turnovers, including his fourth-quarter interception that helped the 49ers extend their lead and triggered the move.

Wentz had not played in a game since Week 6. He spent time on injured reserve with a fractured finger and never gained the starting job back.

After the game, head coach Ron Rivera said the team would decide on the starter early next week, according to John Keim of ESPN.

The Commanders sit at 7-7-1, and hold the last wild-card spot in the NFC.

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