Colts bench Ryan, name Ehlinger starter for remainder of season

The Indianapolis Colts have benched quarterback Matt Ryan and named Sam Ehlinger their starter for the remainder of the campaign, head coach Frank Reich announced on Monday.

"Right now, the move is for Sam to be the starter for the rest of the season," Reich said, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Ryan is currently dealing with a grade 2 shoulder sprain and will not practice this week, according to The Athletic's Zak Keefer. Signal-caller Nick Foles will serve as Ehlinger's backup. The bench boss also noted Ryan's shoulder injury had nothing to do with his benching.

Reich said he met with Colts general manager Chris Ballard and owner Jim Irsay for an hour-long discussion late Sunday before making a "collective decision," according to ESPN's Stephen Holder.

Reich is confident Ehlinger can elevate the Colts' offense after taking over the starting role.

"He'll be ready, Reich said. "He'll be ready. Is he gonna make mistakes? Of course he's gonna make mistakes. But he's gonna make plays for our offense."

Ehlinger appeared in three games last year for the Colts. The former sixth-round pick has yet to throw a pass during a regular-season game.

Ryan, who the Colts acquired from the Atlanta Falcons for a 2022 third-round selection, has struggled through the first seven games of his tenure. The 2016 MVP has passed for 2,008 yards, nine touchdowns, and nine interceptions while fumbling 11 times.

The Colts have posted a 3-3-1 record with Ryan under center and rank 29th in the NFL with 16.1 points per game.