Division-clinching victory proves painful for Eagles
Report: Wentz may have torn his ACL
LOS ANGELES — The Philadelphia Eagles might have lost star quarterback Carson Wentz for the rest of the season even as they clinched the NFC East title.
Wentz threw for 291 yards and four touchdowns before leaving with an injured left knee and Jake Elliott kicked the go-ahead 33-yard field goal with 3:45 left for the Eagles, who beat the Los Angeles Rams 43-35 in a thriller Sunday to clinch their first division title since 2013.
The Associated Press reports that doctors believe Wentz has torn his left anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the rest of the season and playoffs.
“I don’t know anything yet until we evaluate him fully tomorrow,” said coach Doug Pederson, adding that Wentz will have an MRI on Monday. “It’s just a report. You’re speculating that he’s going to be out. I was really blocked on the play so I’ve got to check out the tape tonight on the way home. He did get up a little hobbly. I knew something was up but didn’t know the extent of it, obviously.”
Wentz had a brace on his left knee as he was driven up the tunnel at the Los Angeles
Memorial Coliseum on a golf cart. He got off and hobbled about 30 feet to one of the team buses.
Asked about Wentz’s mood, Pederson said: “He’s excited. NFC East champs, he’s fired up.”
Wentz was hit hard as he dived into the end zone on a play that was called back because of holding. He stayed in the game and threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery four plays later to give the Eagles a 31-28 lead.
Nick Foles replaced Wentz on the next drive for Philadelphia (11-2).
“I just saw him favoring his leg a little bit and it’s just one of those things where he toughed it out, threw a touchdown,” Foles said. “He’s one of the toughest players I’ve played with. He came to the side and got checked and I was told be ready to go in.”
Foles said Wentz was waiting for the team when it came into the locker room after the game.
“The guy’s really rallied. It means a lot to this team, it means a lot to me. Excited we’re NFC East champs but it’s emotional, a guy you work with every day who you think the world of, you know I think he’s the MVP; it’s not easy but I know this team will step up and rally no matter what.”
The NFC West-leading Rams (9-4) then went up 35-31 on Todd Gurley’s second short TD run.
Elliott kicked a 41-yard field goal to pull the Eagles to 35-34.