Rivera apologizes to Wentz for 'QB' comment

ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Commanders manager Ron Rivera apologized to backmost Carson Wentz for comments that helium said were misconstrued by immoderate Monday, regarding wherefore there's a gulf betwixt his rebuilding squad and their NFC East rivals.

"Carson and I had a bully speech truthful I deliberation we're acceptable to roll," Rivera said.

He besides spoke to his squad astir the comments helium made Monday. On that day, Rivera was asked wherefore the Commanders were 1-4 successful his 3rd play compared to the different teams successful the part each being astatine slightest 4-1. Rivera answered, "Quarterback."

He aboriginal said the different teams' quarterbacks had been successful spot longer than Wentz had successful Washington. The Commanders traded for Wentz this past offseason; Rivera said the backmost is inactive getting comfy successful the discourtesy and with teammates. Rivera said they present person a backmost they tin physique around.

But his archetypal one-word reply drew nationalist attention, with erstwhile Washington backmost Alex Smith ripping his erstwhile coach.

Wentz said helium was unaware of what had been said, until helium was told by a squad spokesman. He wasn't bothered by what Rivera said.

"Coach addressed it, handled it, thing for maine that I'm overly acrophobic about," Wentz said. "Coach is simply a precise straightforward, upfront guy. He addressed it successful the squad meeting, which I thought was truly cool, successful what helium meant by it all. I consciousness precise assured successful that."

Rivera said helium understood wherefore his comments were perceived successful a antagonistic light, which is wherefore helium wanted to code the full team.

"I told them I said immoderate things that were misconstrued; I didn't contiguous them properly. That's connected me," helium said. "I took accountability, told the guys I should cognize better. S--- I had a atrocious time truthful I figured I was feeling amended today, let's determination forward."

Rivera said helium disquieted astir his words becoming a distraction during a abbreviated week; the Commanders (1-4) play astatine the Chicago Bears (2-4) Thursday. But players said they understood what Rivera was saying.

"We each assumed that was taken the incorrect way," Washington backup backmost Taylor Heinicke said. "He did a bully occupation clearing that up this morning. Carson has wide shoulders; helium understands the deal. ... It meant a batch to the full team. For anyone who didn't cognize what helium meant it was bully to perceive from him."

Heinicke said Wentz stays disconnected societal media truthful helium wasn't adjacent alert of the contention it created. Heinicke besides said having played successful a pugnacious media marketplace specified arsenic Philadelphia steeled Wentz.

"Once you play successful Philly, everything other is casual peasy from there," Heinicke said.

Washington tackle Charles Leno Jr., said Rivera's words were well-received.

"He's ne'er the benignant to accidental thing underneath the array oregon backmost door," Leno said. "He's ever a straightforward feline truthful I admit him and admit his words."

Wentz, meanwhile, is listed has having a enarthrosis wounded connected the wounded study for Thursday night's game. Wentz brushed disconnected immoderate interest astir his right, throwing enarthrosis contempt the wounded study indicating helium would person been a constricted subordinate the Commanders had held a afloat signifier each of the past 2 days.

"I don't cognize erstwhile (it occurred), and it feels beauteous good,'' Wentz said. "It feels beauteous good. It was a Monday aft a game, truthful I'm feeling beauteous good.''

Rivera said Wentz reported the enarthrosis was sore Monday greeting aft the team's nonaccomplishment to Tennessee connected Sunday. He said Wentz took each his snaps successful signifier Tuesday.

"He was fine,'' Rivera said. "I don't expect it to beryllium a problem.''

The Associated Press contributed to this report.