Philadelphia’s backups key for Eagles

The Eagles have been able to overcome major injuries.

Carson Wentz congratulates Nick Foles during the second half of the NFC championship game. The Eagles will face the Patriots in the Super Bowl on Feb. 4.

PHILADELPHIA — Using a cane to walk on his surgically repaired left knee, Carson Wentz celebrated a victory with his teammates that many thought the Philadelphia Eagles couldn’t secure without him.

Wentz led them to a division title. Nick Foles is taking them to the Super Bowl.

Losing Wentz in Week 14 after the second-year quarterback had an MVP-caliber season was supposed to be a crippling blow to a team that had already lost ninetime Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters, playmaking linebacker Jordan Hicks, versatile returner/ running back Darren Sproles and special teams ace Chris Maragos.

But the Eagles are one victory away from the franchise’s first NFL title since 1960 thanks to key contributions from several backups.

“It’s the next-man-up mentality,” coach Doug Pederson said Monday. “It also means that you have some veteran players that keep things together, and good coaching staffs. I think it’s a tribute to the players and everyone involved that they can keep things going even through that adversity.”

Foles led the way with a spectacular performance in a 38-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC championship game . He threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns while joining Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to complete 75 percent of their passes in consecutive playoff games.

“We lean on each other and we play for each other and that’s what’s special about this team,” Foles said. “There’s never going to be a time when we’re going to turn on each other. We’re always File, Patrick Semansky / going to be there to support each other and that’s the beautiful thing about the Philadelphia Eagles.”

Even team owner Jeffery Lurie couldn’t have predicted this success.

“It surprised me because of all the injuries,” Lurie said. “The resiliency among this group is phenomenal.”

Sproles, one of the best returners in league history and a major part of the offense, tore his left ACL and broke his right forearm on the same play against the Giants in the home opener on Sept. 24.

EAGLES AP