Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz missed practice on Sunday and is considered day-to-day with a soft tissue injury, as first reported by NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.
The injury is considered minor, but the team is taking a cautious approach to ensure that he is at 100% start the 2020 regular season.
His backup, Nate Sudfeld, took first-team reps in his absence during the team’s only scrimmage at Lincoln Financial Field this offseason. Wentz, meanwhile, donned a red non-contact practice jersey and remained out on the field with his teammates.
It’s the first time this offseason that Wentz has encountered an injury issue. He hadn’t missed a day of practice all summer and has built some high expectations given his performances.
However, there is always room for anxiety when it comes to Wentz’s health, even if it has been described as minor.
A rib fracture, ACL and LCL tear, and a back vertebral fracture played a part in Wentz missing eight games and the playoffs between 2017-2018 before he was forced to leave the NFC Wild Card Game with a concussion.
It’s created an unfair narrative at times, claiming that the 27-year-old can’t stay healthy, but keeping Wentz on the field for a full season and playoff run is imperative for the Eagles’ chances in 2020 while taking some of the pressure off the quarterback’s shoulders.
Over his four professional seasons, Wentz has put up 16-game averages of 4,055 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions — which is grounds to put him near the top of the league’s quarterback list. However, those injuries mixed with some bad timing has tarnished his reputation both in Philadelphia and around the country.
Therefore, it’s easily understandable why the Eagles are practicing an abundance of caution with their franchise quarterback as he’ll be tasked to lead an offense that is filled with a litany of question marks heading toward 2020.
