Indianapolis, Indiana - The Indianapolis Colts have seen enough of Matt Ryan, who leads the NFL with 11 fumbles and nine interceptions, and are making a change at quarterback.

The Colts are benching Ryan and will start Sam Ehlinger for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders.

Ryan has a Grade 2 shoulder strain, but his demotion has nothing to do with the injury, as coach Frank Reich said turning the offense over to Ehlinger would have happened anyway.

"Right now the move is for Sam to be the starter for the rest of the season," Reich said, via the Colts' website.

Coming in from the Atlanta Falcons in the offseason, Ryan surpassed Hall of Famer Dan Marino for the seventh-most passing yards in NFL history earlier this season, but the 15-year veteran has been struggling lately.

He threw a pair of interceptions – one of which was returned 76 yards for a touchdown – in Sunday's 19-10 loss to Tennessee, which dropped the Colts to 3-3-1 and 1.5 games behind the Titans for first place in the AFC South.

On the season, Ryan ranks fourth in the NFL in passing yards (2,008) but 20th in QB rating (84.7) and 22nd in yards per attempt (6.76).

Ehlinger, a sixth-round pick by the Colts in the 2021 draft, has yet to take a snap this season or throw a pass in the NFL. As a backup last season, he appeared on just three offensive plays.

The 24-year-old takes over an offense that ranks 17th in total yards (341.6 per game) and 29th in scoring (16.1 points per game).