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Commanders QB Carson Wentz Rehabbing From Thumb Surgery; Who Will Start vs. Packers?

Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz suffered a thumb injury Thursday against the Chicago Bears. He is set to undergo surgery this week.

The Washington Commanders have a new starting quarterback.

The Commanders are preparing to be the 10th team this season to start a backup quarterback after Carson Wentz underwent thumb surgery Monday.

Wentz fractured his thumb in last week's 12-7 win against the Chicago Bears and is expected to miss four to six weeks with the injury.

With Wentz out, it's next man up for the Commanders ... but who will that be?

Head coach Ron Rivera announced that Taylor Heinicke will start against the Green Bay Packers and Sam Howell will be the backup.

Back in the preseason, Howell threw for 547 yards and a touchdown while completing over 62 percent of his passes. He also ran the ball 13 times for 94 yards and two touchdowns, proving himself to be a dual threat.

Howell won't see the field before Heinicke, but Wentz's injury increases the probability that the rookie could make an appearance this season.

If the Commanders keep their pace for the last two-thirds of the season, the team will pick inside the top-10, and maybe even in the top-5. With rookie quarterbacks C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young and Will Levis potentially declaring for the draft, Washington needs to know what it currently has before making a major investment for the future.

The Commanders and Packers play Sunday at 1 p.m. at FedEx Field.


You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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