Seahawks vs. Colts Week 1 NFL injury report, odds, spread: Carson Wentz will start; Russell Wilson has been money in Eastern Time Zone

Just a few weeks ago, it looked like the Carson Wentz era in Indianapolis might have to wait until around midseason after he had foot surgery for an issue that apparently dated back years. There was plenty of speculation about the Colts perhaps trading for Nick Foles as a stop-gap starter over using inexperienced Jacob Eason. However, Wentz's recovery has gone as well as could be expected, he returned to a full practice Wednesday for the first time since the surgery and will start Sunday vs. Russell Wilson and the visiting Seahawks. The Colts are 2.5-point underdogs on the NFL odds at Caesars Sportsbook.

Even though he has yet to take a snap for the Colts, Wentz was named one of five team captains – although that's fairly standard for quarterbacks. Wentz was 32-37 against the spread in his starting career with the Philadelphia Eagles, who probably are the second-happiest team in the league that Wentz will be ready Week 1. The conditional 2022 second-round pick they got in the trade for him will become a first-rounder if Wentz plays at least 75% of the Colts' offensive snaps this year.

Wentz did lose his starting job late last year with Philly and tied for the NFL lead with 15 interceptions despite playing just 12 games -- he is +3000 to lead the league in picks again. On the bright side, his five rushing touchdowns were the most by a Philadelphia quarterback in a single season since 2010. Seems doubtful that Colts coach Frank Reich calls any designed runs for Wentz in the early going off that foot surgery. He may be very immobile.

All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson also had foot surgery in camp not long after Wentz and was given the same 5-12-week timetable but also is good to go Sunday. No. 1 wideout TY Hilton will miss at least the first three games on injured reserve.

Indianapolis has lost seven straight Week 1 games and has amazingly covered the spread in just one of its past 13 season openers. The Colts were not underdogs once last regular season.

On the flip side, Seattle enters on a six-game ATS road losing streak, tied for the longest in the NFL with Wentz's former Philadelphia team. That said, Wilson is 12-1 straight up in his past 13 games in the Eastern Time Zone and 21-11-2 career against the spread in ETZ games. That cover percentage of 65.6 is the best by any road QB in the Eastern Time Zone this century (minimum 20 starts).

The Seahawks' best offensive lineman, left tackle Duane Brown, had been holding out for a new contract but returned to practice Monday and will play after the team reworked his deal a bit. Brown had been taking part in team meetings and walk-throughs but hadn't been practicing in the absence of a new deal.

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