Successful return is moving target for Wentz

PHILADELPHIA >> It’s not what Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz says. It’s what he hasn’t done that should be mildly concerning to his fans.

Sure, it takes time to get used to the speed of the game after being unable to participate in training camp or the preseason while your surgically reconstructed knee heals.

But the mobility numbers coming out of Wentz’s first four games are an eye opener, just as appearing on the weekly injury report is.

Last week Wentz was listed as a limited participant in practice for non-football reasons, i.e. “rest,” according to the report. On Wednesday, Wentz was listed as a limited participant due to a back issue that neither he nor Doug Pederson mentioned.

Let’s go to the numbers and begin with sacks. Wentz has been dropped 13 times in four starts. He’s on pace for 45 sacks. That’s too many sacks to blame on the offensive line or a lack of timing with the receivers. Wentz doesn’t hold the ball that long. He can’t get out of the way of the rush like he used to: Last year, he was sacked 28 times in 13 games.

Now let’s go to rushing first downs. Wentz has four this year, putting him on pace for 14. Last year he collected 27 rushing first downs, which is Cam Newton, try-and-stop-me stuff. Wentz was Tom Brady II last year, lights-out on fourth-and-1. Does anyone see that this year?

When Wentz was asked Wednesday if he’s gotten over his hang-ups about running, he denied that there was any reluctance, which basically is what you’d expect him to say because a leader leads by acting like nothing bothers him, even if it does.

“I felt great coming back with my knee and where I’m at with all that,” Wentz said. “And just learning to protect myself, slide and all that stuff. … And I feel like that’s been fairly successful. And yeah, I’m always looking to make plays with my arm first but when I need to, I feel good about making them with my legs.”

There’s no question Wentz tries to make plays first with his arm. And it’s at least partly because he’s working through the knee stuff. The brace certainly is a reminder, even if he’s denied that it’s a hindrance

The turnover numbers are less conclusive, although not great. Wentz threw an interception and lost a fumble in a four-point win over the Colts in Week 3. He fumbled the ball away in a three-point loss to the Titans the next week. The Vikings returned a Wentz fumble 64 yards for a touchdown in a two-point win over the Eagles in Week 5. Most recently Wentz had no turnovers, although he fumbled, in a 21-point win over the Giants last Thursday in a game featuring three TD passes.

Last year Wentz threw seven interceptions and lost four fumbles in 13 games. He also fired a club-record 33 touchdown passes. This year, he’s on pace to throw 28 scoring passes.

The way the Eagles have struggled to move the ball, together with the quarterback pressure Wentz has felt, suggests there’s plenty of blame to spread around. Personnel also is part of it. The decision to move on from running back LeGarrette Blount, the last Eagle to rush for 100 yards, hasn’t made life any easier for Wentz and the offense. Blount wanted to return.

The absence of a deep threat who consistently strikes fear in the hearts of opponents is another issue. The Eagles traded Torrey Smith to the Carolina Panthers, who they oppose Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. They got schooled in Tampa by DeSean Jackson, who made them pay for giving up on him a few years ago.

There’s no question that Mike Wallace, who the Eagles signed, still could flat-out fly, even at age 32. The only real question was whether he could bring the ball with him. Either Nick Foles was inaccurate or Wallace lost the golden touch before fracturing his fibula and being placed on injured reserve. The Eagles haven’t replaced him, although we give Nelson Agholor credit for taking offense at the simple question, do you feel the Eagles have someone who can take the top off a defense?

It’s no secret that the Eagles are looking for help at running back. The way the Bucs are freefalling, D-Jax might be available before the trade deadline. The Eagles acquired running back Jay Ajayi last year. While the hard-running Ajayi also is on IR, it was a matter of when, not if.

If you’re a fan of Wentz, you have the right to be concerned. One blowout of the Giants does not make a comeback.

Wentz, by the way, doesn’t think the Eagles need to bring in a deep threat. He believes the offense is good to go with what’s there. If the Eagles run off another fivegame winning streak where they punish the opposition with an average margin of victory in the low 20-points, it will be tough to argue with him.

But one thing is certain — you’re going to get some real answers Sunday. The Panthers can play defense. Linebacker Luke Kuechly is a formidable opponent. Julius Peppers can still get after the passer. Wentz isn’t going to have time to adjust his socks before he throws, like he did when the Eagles got a lead on the Giants.