Report: Eagles QB Carson Wentz Could Miss Remainder of the Season
The 2018 NFL season started with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz on the sideline, and it appears that it might end that same way.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that Wentz is unlikely to play this Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams due to a back injury and that the quarterback is undergoing further testing to gather more information.
Eagles coach Doug Pederson addressed the media before practice on Wednesday.
Here’s Doug Pederson talking about Carson Wentz’s injury. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/4E4VOP1a9a
— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) December 12, 2018
“Carson has a little bit of back soreness and tightness, so we’re going to rest him today and continue to evaluate him and make sure he’s good,” Pederson said.
Wentz’s availability for the rest of the year will be determined after his evaluation. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said the results will determine if he suits up again in 2018.
#Eagles QB Carson Wentz, dealing with a back issue, is not expected to play this week, sources say. Depending on the result, given the time of year, Wentz may not play again in 2018. The team is still gathering info on his health.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 12, 2018
This isn’t the first time Wentz has had back problems as he was listed on the injury report due to his back earlier in the year.
Over two consecutive Wednesdays in late October, Wentz was a limited participant in practice because of his back, but this marks the first time he’s missed a practice this season.
The injury comes almost exactly one year to the day that Wentz tore his ACL and LCL in a game, coincidentally, against the Rams, the Eagles’ opponents this Sunday.
This year Wentz hasn’t looked like the MVP candidate he was last season as he’s still showing some effects from the injury.
His seven interceptions this year are the same as last year, but he’s thrown 12 fewer touchdowns than in the 2017 season (33 vs. 21).
Additionally, Wentz was known for scrambling and extending plays with his legs prior to his knee injury, but that hasn’t been the case in 2018. After rushing for 299 yards and 26 first downs last year, he has just 93 rushing yards and nine rushing first downs this year.
Fortunately for the Eagles, they have a backup who has done quite well in coming off the bench.
Last December, Nick Foles stepped in and the Philly offense didn’t miss a beat as he guided the team to the first Super Bowl win in franchise history.
While Foles isn’t happy that Wentz is injured again, he is certainly looking forward to the opportunity to be a starter again.
An added bonus is that Foles has incentives in his contract that grant him $500,000 for each game he plays at least 33 percent of the snaps and the team wins.
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