The Eagles are set to open up the NFL regular season in 11 days against the Atlanta Falcons, but there are still a lot of questions surrounding their starting quarterback situation.
As of now, there is a strong possibility that the third-year quarterback Carson Wentz will not be ready to play in the season opener.
This means that reigning Super Bowl MVP quarterback Nick Foles could be under center against the team he beat in the playoffs last season.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson was asked on Sunday if Wentz had been cleared yet for contact and simply responded with “No he has not.”
However, that was not the only response Pederson had for the reporters in attendance as he continued to get hit with follow up questions on the young quarterback.
“I don’t know how many times I can answer this question. When they clear him, he’ll be cleared,” said Pederson.
“I’m not going to put myself in a box, I’m not going to put my quarterback in a box. I’m not going to do that. I’m not going to go out on a limb and I’m not going to say that. Either ask it a different way or otherwise, I’m — you’re going to get the same answer.”
It is very clear that the Super Bowl-winning coach is tired of answering questions about Wentz’s availability. Last week, Wentz was cleared for 11-on-11 team drills and split first-team reps with Foles.
That being said, it would be farfetched for Pederson to go out on a limb and say that the former second overall pick is ready to go. Wentz suffered a significant knee injury last December against the Los Angeles Rams, tearing both the ACL and LCL.
If Wentz were to play against the Falcons, he would only be nine months removed from the knee injury. The recovery time for a torn ACL usually takes about a year. It would be an absolute shocker if the 25-year-old quarterback is 100 percent.
Therefore, the Eagles need to continue to take a cautious approach with their franchise quarterback because he cannot afford a major setback.
Wentz was en route to possibly winning the MVP last season as he completed 60.2 percent of his passes for 3,296 yards, 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
While it would be nice to see him in Week 1, it is about Wentz’s long-term health and NFL career. Despite Foles struggling mightily in the last two preseason games, he is still a viable option to get the Eagles through the first few weeks of the season.
