In an unexpected turn of events, Matt Ryan will start at quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts’ Sunday afternoon game against the Las Vegas Raiders. After being benched before Indianapolis’ Week 8 game in favor of Sam Ehlinger, this is Ryan’s first start in three weeks. Ryan had a Grade 2 shoulder separation, according to the then-head coach Frank Reich, but even without the injury, they would have changed the quarterback. Ehlinger had a 61.5 passing percentage, 304 yards, and two touchdowns in his two starts, but he was 0-2 overall.
Since Ryan was benched, Reich was sacked and owner Jim Irsay installed controversial interim head coach Jeff Saturday, a former Colts center, who has now made his first significant choice by bringing Ryan back.
Although the veteran quarterback was 3-3-1 before Ehlinger taking over, Ryan was acquired in an offseason deal with the Atlanta Falcons in an effort to offer a steady presence to the Colts’ QB carousel of the previous several years. However, Ryan will now have another opportunity to assume control and guide his club, beginning with today’s game against the Raiders with a healthy shoulder.
