Wentz may sit with back injury

PHILADELPHIA >> The Eagles likely will shut down quarterback Carson Wentz this week, and possibly longer, due to a mysterious back injury.

Eagles head coach Doug Pederson left the door open for Nick Foles or Nate Sudfeld to start Sunday in Los Angeles against the Rams, during his Wednesday morning injury report. After addressing a long list of injuries Pederson concluded with, “And a new one.

“Um, Carson has a little bit of back soreness, a little tightness and so we’re going to rest him today, continue to evaluate him and just make sure he’s good,” Pederson said. “We’ll have more information on all of these guys later in the week.”

Wentz sure didn’t look like his back hurt after launching a 42yard bomb to Nelson Agholor very late in the Eagles’ 29-23 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday.

Wentz certainly wasn’t overburdened with snaps, as the offense played just 52 versus the Cowboys.

But Wentz absolutely experienced soreness occurred in the back earlier this season, as he was on the injury report in Weeks 7 and 8.

“Listen, every player is going to play with a little nagging injury from time to time,” Pederson said. “That’s just the way it works in this business.”

The coach also conceded that the injury, although seemingly something to play through, could mean more than a day off for Wentz in this, a losing season with almost no chance of reaching the playoffs.

“Sometimes he just gets a little sore, a little tight,” Pederson said. “We’re just going to rest him today and then evaluate him.”

The news caught the media relations staff off guard, as well. The Eagles announced that Wentz wouldn’t do his scheduled news conference Wednesday.

After the Pederson presser, the NFL’s mouthpiece, Ian Rappaport, tweeted that Wentz isn’t expected to play this week and might not see action the rest of the season.

The timing is interesting in that Wentz tore the ACL and the LCL in his right knee last year in Los Angeles with three games left in the season.

Foles rallied the Eagles to a win over the Rams to clinch a playoff berth, then guided the team to a win in Super Bowl LII, earning MVP honors in the process.

Also interesting is exactly who on the Eagles has the final say on Wentz playing this week or the rest of the season, for that matter.

Theoretically, Pederson has the authority. If it’s not Pederson, there are several factors that would make it prudent for management to take Wentz out of circulation.

First and foremost, Wentz is in line for a huge contract extension at the end of the season. Next, the Eagles have had issues with the interior of their offensive line where center Jason Kelce and guards Isaac Seumalo and Brandon Brooks have played through injuries.

The Rams’ pass rush features tackle Aaron Donald, who has a leagueleading 16.5 sacks, and Ndamukong Suh, who has zero regard for quarterbacks.

More on this story as it develops. ••• On another front, Pederson addressed the recent firing of John DeFilippo by the Minnesota Vikings. DeFilippo was quarterbacks coach of the Eagles in Wentz’s first two years before joining the Vikings, who have sputtered offensively the past month. Pederson was asked if the Eagles would add the offensive mind to their staff in some capacity.

“What I’ll say is John did a great job for me,” Pederson said. “He helped us win a world championship. I love my coaches. I’m confident in the guys we have. So, at this time, no.”