Carson Wentz underwent successful surgery on his broken right ring finger on Monday. The Washington Commanders quarterback faces a four to six weeks timetable to return. Thus, the Commanders have added depth to their quarterback room.
The Commanders have signed Jake Fromm to the practice squad and released defensive tackle Donovan Jeter in a corresponding transaction.
The Commanders have not decided whether or not to place Wentz on injured reserve, which would require him to miss four games. In the meantime, Taylor Heinicke will start at quarterback for Washington’s Week 7 game against the Green Bay Packers.
Behind Heinicke, the Commanders have a rookie, fifth-round draft pick Sam Howell. Howell has been inactive for the first six games.
Fromm is also a fifth-round draft pick in 2020 of the Buffalo Bills. The New York Giants signed him off the Bills’ practice squad in November 2021. Fromm made two starts, including a Week 17 loss to the Commanders.
Fromm has 60 pass attempts in three career NFL games. He has a completion rate of 45% with one touchdown and three interceptions.
A former five-star recruit, Jake Fromm has a high IQ, leadership traits, and good pocket awareness, according to multiple scouting reports, including Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. However, Fromm lacks physical tools, arm strength, talent, and velocity on his throws.
He has drawn a Colt McCoy comparison. McCoy has made a living as a backup NFL quarterback. Considering Howell is the Commanders’ long-term development project, Fromm enters a situation of being an extra body that could serve as a game-day backup. That would allow Howell to develop without the pressure of being one snap away from being trusted onto the field.
