Washington Commanders will start rookie Sam Howell against Dallas on Sunday. Taylor Heinicke remains the backup.

Carson Wentz’s tenure as Washington Commanders starting quarterback is all but over, and Taylor Heinicke’s days with the team could be numbered too.

Sam Howell, a rookie fifth-round pick out of North Carolina, was named Washington’s starter for Sunday’s season finale against the Dallas Cowboys.

Howell will make his first regular-season NFL start — and play in his first game since preseason — for the Commanders (7-8-1), coach Ron Rivera announced Wednesday afternoon. Washington is eliminated from playoff contention.

Howell’s elevation to starter leaves Heinicke, a former star at Old Dominion, as the backup. Heinicke, 29, started nine games this season after Wentz was injured in October, and is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Rivera said he initially planned to start Heinicke, but he talked with his assistant coaches and “some of the team leaders” before deciding to go with Howell.

“We feel this is an opportunity for us to give Sam a chance to show us what he’s capable of,” Rivera said. “I think the opportunity is going to be a good one for him to go out and play football and just kind of show us. We’re not going to judge everything on Sam based on just one game, but we are going to get an opportunity to see him and see how he prepares.”

Rivera tabbed Howell after giving the start last week to Wentz, who struggled mightily in his first appearance since an injury in Week 6. On Sunday, Wentz was intercepted three times — including INTs on the team’s first two drives — in a 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns at FedEx Field.

Wentz finished 16 of 28 for 143 yards without a touchdowns in a performance that almost certainly will end his time with Washington. The former first-round pick was acquired before this season in a trade with Indianapolis and is being paid a base salary of $22 million and a $6.294 million roster bonus. The Commanders are under no obligation to keep Wentz and are likely to release him.

Heinicke has had a whirlwind two-plus seasons in Washington after an improbable return to the NFL. He signed a two-year contract worth $4.75 million before last season, according to spotrac.com. The incentive-laden deal includes a base salary of $1.5 million this season, and he receives $125,000 for each victory in which he plays 60% of the snaps. Heinicke has steered the Commanders to five wins and earned $625,000 in bonuses.

Washington and Heinicke have been mum on a future contract, but he certainly is in line for more money next season — either with Washington or another NFL team.

Following a legendary career at ODU, Heinicke went undrafted and failed to stay long during NFL stints with Minnesota, Houston, Carolina and New England. He had appeared in just eight career games before Washington called on him as he was finishing his degree at ODU via online classes.

Heinicke was thrust into the starting lineup in the playoffs after the 2020 season, becoming a fan favorite after 15 starts last season in relief of an injured Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fans at FedEx on Sunday were chanting his name as Wentz struggled.

Heinicke’s first start this season was Oct. 23 against Green Bay, and Washington was 5-1 in Heinicke’s first six starts. Then came a tie with the New York Giants and losses to the Giants and San Francisco, prompting Rivera to go back to Wentz for last week’s must-win game.

Heinicke this season has completed 161 of 259 passes for 1,859 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also has lost five of his seven fumbles.

Howell, a 6-foot-1, 220-pounder, played three seasons at North Carolina before turning pro. In his final season as a junior, he threw for 3,056 yards with 24 TDs and nine interceptions. Howell finished his career third in ACC history with 92 passing TDs and ranks fifth in total touchdowns (111) and passing yards (10,283).

“I’ve been working hard all year, and I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to go out there,” Howell said, adding that he has learned from watching Heinicke and Wentz. “Those two guys have been so great to me this whole entire year. ... I’m just so blessed to be in a [quarterback] room with those two guys.”

Jami Frankenberry, 757-446-2376, jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com. Twitter @JamiVP