Colts QB Carson Wentz: COVID-19 vaccine decision 'keeps me up at night'

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday after being placed in NFL protocols for being a high-risk close contact with a team staff member who tested positive.

The 28-year-old, who still is not vaccinated, told reporters after practice that weighing the decision to receive the shot keeps him up at night.

"Trust me, it's been an ongoing process, for me, for my family, and this happening this week, it kind of woke us up on the protocol, just kind of understanding how this happens and understanding some of the gray areas with the league, making sure we know what's at stake and how to avoid it," Wentz said, according to Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. "It's a process, I'm weighing every pro and con out there. It keeps me up at night and a lot of things go on inside my head, but it's where we're at right now."

Although Wentz did not commit to getting the vaccine, he said "things could change in the next coming weeks."

He added: "Who knows? Who knows where this world's going? Who knows where the protocol's going, if that'll change. I'm not going to act like I'm an expert on a vaccine or a virus, so that's just where we're at."

The NFL's protocols are very different for vaccinated and unvaccinated players. For example, unvaccinated players are required to undergo more testing and wear a mask in areas vaccinated players might not have to. 

The North Carolina native continues to call his decision not to get vaccinated a "personal" one. He told reporters that he hopes people can respect his choice as he respects everyone else's decision. 

Between being on the reserve/COVID-19 list and several injuries, Wentz has got off to a rough start in his first season as a Colt.