Colts QB Carson Wentz activated from COVID list, medically cleared to play

The Indianapolis Colts are getting a vital player back, and just in time for their Week 17 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Quarterback Carson Wentz was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday, a few hours shy of the activation deadline for Sunday's game. He still needed final medical clearance to play and Colts head coach Frank Reich told NFL Network's Stacey Dales that Wentz received it on Sunday morning.

Wentz was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday. Under the old rules, as an unvaccinated player, he would have had to spend 10 days on the list and would have definitely missed Sunday's game against the Raiders. But under the new rules, he only had to spend five days out of commission after testing positive if he's asymptomatic, so he was able to come off the list much sooner. The Colts also activated cornerback T.J. Carrie and right tackle Braden Smith from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Colts definitely want Wentz under center for the contest against the Raiders. If they win, they clinch a playoff berth.