Colts replace Sam Ehlinger with Nick Foles as backup QB

DALLAS -- The Colts are back to Square One at the quarterback position.

Matt Ryan will start Sunday night's road game against the Cowboys as planned. But his backup will be Nick Foles, not Sam Ehlinger, as the Colts made Ehlinger inactive.

Interim coach Jeff Saturday said Wednesday that he had not put any thought toward activating Foles ahead of Ehlinger.

"I think Nick has done a really good job for us," Saturday said. "He’s continued to stay really loyal to this football team. I have confidence in both he and Sam. I think they’re both great players and do a really good job of helping Matt."

This marks a return to the depth chart the Colts had to start the season, back when they sold Foles on a two-year deal to serve as Ryan's backup. That was before they started moving Ehlinger closer to the starting position, first by making Ehlinger the backup and then by introducing him as the starter for the rest of the year once Ryan suffered a separated shoulder in a Week 7 loss to the Titans.

The move came under strong guidance from owner Jim Irsay, who became enamored with the potential of what his second-year, sixth-round pick could be.

Ehlinger lasted two games in the starting role. He did not throw a touchdown pass, and the Colts lost both games, scoring 19 points. Then the Colts replaced coach Frank Reich with Saturday and allowed Saturday to re-insert Ryan as the starter. Ryan has not had much success this season, with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 10 starts, but he has led five fourth-quarter comebacks.

Ehlinger served as the backup the past three weeks with Foles inactive. Now, Foles will serve as the backup in case Ryan suffers another injury, which is always a risk behind an offensive line that has given up 43 sacks this season and will be without Braden Smith at right tackle due to an illness.

Foles has thrived in this role throughout his career, most notably when he won Super Bowl MVP with the Eagles. He has started 56 games in his 11-year career.

Ehlinger is one of six inactive players for Sunday night's game, joining Smith, cornerback Kenny Moore II, wide receiver Keke Coutee, defensive tackle Chris Williams and defensive end Khalid Kareem.

The Smith loss is considerable against a Cowboys defense that leads the NFL in sacks and has the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year in Micah Parsons. Dennis Kelly is expected to start in his place.

The loss of Moore II due to an ankle injury will challenge how the Colts defend Dak Prescott and a surging Cowboys passing attack. Tony Brown is expected to take his spot in the slot.

Contact Colts insider Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts vs. Cowboys: Colts replace Sam Ehlinger with Nick Foles as backup QB