Can Carson help Philly?
QB set to start for first time since Dec. 10
The franchise QB is back, but injuries to Eagles receivers might make it hard for him to thrive.
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TAMPA, Fla. – What can we expect when Carson Wentz takes the field for the first time in the 2018 season Sept. 23 at home against the Colts?
When asked if there was any hesitation on bringing him back a little more than nine months after surgery to repair two torn knee ligaments, Eagles coach Doug Pederson said, “He’s cleared (medically), he goes. He’s our guy. We drafted him to be our guy.”
Wentz himself tweeted a video of the entire team celebrating on the field (from a game-winning field goal last season) with the words: “That ‘I’m back’ feeling”
For the Eagles and their fans, it’s a welcomed sight.
But will he be the Wentz who was an MVP favorite last season before his injury, when he was running all over the field, escaping pressure, finding ways to get the ball down the field to his receivers?
Or will he resemble someone who doesn’t quite have that same mobility yet, which is understandable considering he hasn’t played in a game since Dec. 10?
Even Pederson noted that it might take some time before he’s back at game speed.
So the Eagles should not expect Wentz to be a savior, and it’s not just because of the potential tentativeness of his knee.
The Eagles were smart to be cautious all along with their franchise quarterback. They could have rushed him back for the season opener on Sept. 6, and surely Wentz was pushing for this, stating all along that was his goal.
As Pederson put it: “In his mind, he was probably ready a month ago.”
Instead, the Eagles waited at least two games, watching the offense struggle without him while Nick Foles took over at quarterback to start the season.
Foles led the Eagles to two playoff victories last season, then was named MVP of the Super Bowl.
But take a look at what Foles had to work with in the Eagles’ first two games, and then you can understand why the coaching staff was being cautious with Wentz.
The Eagles’ top receiver, Alshon Jeffery, has only returned to practice on a limited basis after having offseason shoulder surgery. Pederson said Jeffery is on a “week to week” basis and that there’s no timetable for a return.
The Eagles already had to put WR Mack Hollins on injured reserve, meaning he will be out for the first eight weeks of the season.
And Pederson said WR Mike Wallace suffered a broken leg in the Eagles’ 27-21 loss to Tampa Bay and he will miss at least a few weeks, probably more.
Those were three of the Eagles’ projected top four wide receivers heading into the new season.
On Sept. 16, Foles was left with Nelson Agholor, who finished with eight catches for 95 yards, including a touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 2 with 2:46 left in the game that brought the Eagles to within six points.
The other receivers on the field were Kamar Aiken, whom the Eagles released in training camp and re-signed only last week; DeAndre Carter, who played in his second NFL game; and Shelton Gibson, who has two career receptions.
It’s no wonder Foles was constantly under pressure. He was sacked three times and hurried 12 times by the Buccaneers.
Pederson said the Eagles will look at available wide receivers. Former Cowboys star Dez Bryant is out there.
“Any time you’re down a couple of bodies, it affects you offensively, and it tweaks your plan a little bit,” Pederson said after the game. “We have confidence in the other guys to step in and rely a little bit more on the run game and some of the things there.”
Do the Eagles really want to tweak their plan with Wentz in that situation?
There’s more. Running back Jay Ajayi had to leave the game in the first quarter with a back injury, only to return in the second half. Left tackle Jason Peters left with a quad injury, although he said he’ll be back for the Colts game.
When asked about returning to the game, Ajayi responded, “Just pushed through. There were only three of us that were up. So I mean, I just gotta be out there. It’s tough. I just want to get healthy.”
Later, Corey Clement left after a collision near the goal line with Agholor and a Buccaneers defender.
Agholor, who no doubt has the bruises to show for it, and tight end Zach Ertz are already doing everything they can to lift the struggling offense.
“There was never a doubt in his toughness,” Foles said about Agholor. “He just reiterates who he is. He’s a tough player, he takes hits, he continues to go. That’s just who he is, so he didn’t need to prove anything to me.”
Ertz knows that he’ll draw most of the attention from opposing defenses, which was evident on his reception on 4thand-4 to start the third quarter that came up barely 1 yard short with a defender draped all over him.
“I think in general, I’m one of the guys teams try to stop on offense,” he said. “It is what it is. I tried to make a play.”
Wentz will no doubt try to make plays, too. It’s his nature. It’s what he does.
But he’ll need help. The Eagles didn’t provide Foles with much of that in his first two games. They’ll have to for Wentz.