Washington Commanders downplay QB Carson Wentz’s shoulder injury ahead of Thursday’s game vs. the Chicago Bears

ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz and coach Ron Rivera on Tuesday downplayed Wentz’s shoulder injury that showed up on the injury report this week.

Wentz brushed off any concern about his right (throwing) shoulder despite the injury report indicating he was a limited participant in practice the last two days. The Commanders play the Chicago Bears on Thursday night at Soldier Field, looking to snap a four-game losing streak.

“I don’t know when (it occurred) and it feels pretty good,” Wentz said. “It was a Monday after a game, so I’m feeling pretty good.”

Rivera said Wentz reported the shoulder was sore Monday morning after the team’s loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. He said Wentz took all of his snaps in practice Tuesday.

“He was fine,” Rivera said. “I don’t expect it to be a problem.”

Rivera also doesn’t expect a problem to linger from his remarks Monday that “quarterback” was the reason the Commanders were not as far ahead in their rebuilding effort as the other teams in the NFC East. He explained it was because the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants already had their starter in place before this season — and he told that to players in a team meeting.

“The players have been really positive about it,” Rivera said. “Carson and I had a nice conversation, so I think we’re ready to roll.”

Wentz, who has thrown for 10 touchdowns with six interceptions, including a game-ending pick against the Titans, also sounded ready to move past the short-week distraction.

“Coach addressed it and handled it,” Wentz said. “Nothing for me that I’m overly concerned about. Coach is a very straightforward, up-front guy and he addressed it in the team meeting, which I thought was really cool and (clarified) what he meant by it all. I feel very confident in that.”

Rivera and the front office acquired Wentz from the Indianapolis Colts in March, a trade that made the 29-year-old unquestionably the Commanders starter.

Rivera never has shown any indication of benching Wentz and on Monday said he had “no regrets” about making the move to get him.

“I think our quarterback has done some good things,” he said. “There was a time he was very solid and we had the unfortunate Philadelphia game and he struggled a little bit in the Dallas game, but the way he performed (Sunday) just shows you what he’s capable of.

“We chose him because we believe in him. We chose him because we looked at what we felt were things that pointed toward him.”