‘You have to be ready if your number is called.’ Former ODU star Taylor Heinicke is ready to return as Washington’s starter.
Taylor Heinicke knew in the aftermath of the Washington Commanders’ win against Chicago last Thursday that his time as a backup quarterback was likely over.
Carson Wentz, the Commanders’ starter in all six games this season, told Heinicke he had an injured finger on this throwing hand.
Heinicke, though, wanted to enjoy his weekend plans, so he shrugged off the idea that he was about to return to the starting lineup.
“I remember Carson telling me right after the game that he had a cracked finger,” the former Old Dominion star told reporters Wednesday at the Commanders’ training camp in Ashburn. “I told him I was going to pretend like he didn’t say that to me. I had plans to go down and play golf down in Norfolk.”
Heinicke went through with those plans, worked on some mechanics, he said, and played golf. His playing partner was former ODU coach Bobby Wilder — Heinicke’s coach when he was a record-setting quarterback for the Monarchs.
“FORCED the new starting QB for the @Commanders to relax and play some golf with me on his day off,” Wilder tweeted Saturday afternoon with a picture of them wearing ODU baseball caps. “We got distracted between shots watching @ODUFootball beat Coastal 49-21. Great day all around.”
Heinicke returned to Ashburn and this week has been preparing to start his first game since last season. He’ll start against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at FedEx Field. Washington is 2-4 and in last place in the NFC East.
“I was excited, a little anxious,” Heinicke said, referring to the news that he was going to start. “I think the biggest thing I’ve done through the years is just being prepared if my number is called. I think that’s the biggest thing as a profesional. You have to be ready if your number is called.”
Heinicke will take his first snaps since last season, when he started 15 games for Washington. The Commanders won seven of those games, and Heinicke won over fans with his spunk and underdog story — he was finishing his degree at ODU via online classes before being thrust into the Washington starting lineup in the playoffs after the 2020 season.
Last season, Heinicke threw for 3,419 yards and 20 touchdowns with 15 interceptions after replacing injured starter Ryan Fitzpatrick. Washington, though, acquired Wentz — a former first-round draft pick — in the offseason, relegating Heinicke to backup.
“I think the biggest thing I took away from last year was just the experience,” Heinicke said. “I think the more reps you get in live games, the more comfortable you get. Starting 15 games last year, I feel a lot more comfortable, a lot more confident in what I need to do and what not to do.”
Jami Frankenberry, 757-446-2376, jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com
Up next
Who: Green Bay (3-3) at Washington (2-4)
When: 1 p.m. Sunday
TV: WVBT
