Carson Wentz has been downgraded to doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Rams, according to the official injury report released by the team on Friday afternoon.
Just hours earlier, head coach Doug Pederson said Wentz would be questionable for this game, despite also saying that the stress fracture in Wentz’s back will take around three months to fully heal.
It seems pretty clear the Eagles are preparing for Nick Foles to start this game after Wentz missed practice all week, so it’s worth wondering about the need for Wentz to travel with the team. Sitting on a 5 1/2 hour flight seems like it might put unnecessary stress on Wentz’s ailing back.
On Friday morning, Pederson said Wentz would travel to Los Angeles with the team, but if for some reason he doesn’t make the trip, the Eagles would need to downgrade him to out.
As for the rest of the Eagles’ injury report, here is is:
Out: Jordan Hicks (calf), Tim Jernigan (back), Sidney Jones (hamstring), Isaac Seumalo (pec)
Questionable: Michael Bennett (foot), Shelton Gibson (wrist), Avonte Maddox (ankle, knee)
NFL
The four guys who are ruled out for this game missed practice all week, so there’s no surprise they won’t play in this game. Hicks hasn’t played since the New Orleans game, when he hurt his calf. Jernigan returned a few weeks ago, but back spasms have kept him out since. Jones tried to play through a hamstring injury last week, but didn’t get on the field this week.
Without Seumalo, who hurt his pec in the loss to the Cowboys, the Eagles will start Stefen Wisniewski in his place at left guard. That’s a significant loss, especially as the Eagles are about to face Aaron Donald and a dominant Rams’ defensive line. Seumalo had quietly been playing pretty well since early season struggles.
As for the questionable players, Bennett has been listed as questionable for the last couple weeks but has been able to play through his foot injury. I’d expect that to continue.
We don’t really have a sense of whether or not Maddox will play this weekend. He’s been out since the Saints game, but the Eagles could certainly use him. It’s not entirely clear where he’d play this week if he returns. He has played safety and nickel corner this season.
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