MRI confirms Wentz’s ACL tear
An MRI taken Monday on Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz confirmed he has a torn left ACL and will miss the rest of the season and playoffs.
Wentz, a favorite in the NFL MVP race, was hurt late in the third quarter Sunday in Los Angeles. Backup Nick Foles rallied the Eagles (11-2) to a 43-35 win over the Rams that secured the NFC East title and put them in first place in the conference with three games remaining.
After starting all 16 games as a rookie, Wentz made a giant leap this year. He passed for 3,296 yards and set a franchise singleseason record with 33 touchdown passes while throwing just seven interceptions.
“If there’s ever an opportunity for me to rally the troops as the football coach, now might be the time,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. “You can’t lose faith. This has been a resilient football team all season long.”
The Packers’ team doctor is evaluating tests on Aaron Rodgers’ surgically repaired right collarbone to determine if the quarterback can return for this weekend’s game against the Panthers.
Coach Mike McCarthy said there’s no timeline on clearing Rodgers and that his availability is a medical decision.
The two-time NFL MVP returned to practice Dec. 2 on what McCarthy called a “trial return.” Rodgers ran the scout team last week.
The NFL is checking into whether concussion protocol was properly followed when Texans quarterback Tom Savage was allowed to briefly return to action against the 49ers after a hard hit in the end zone left him dazed and with his hands quivering.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien said he didn’t see the video of Savage shaking and never would have allowed him back in the game if he had. League spokesman Joe Lockhart said the NFL and players association “together will conduct a thorough review of the incident” and that the discovery of any possible improvements in the concussion protocol will be quickly implemented.
The Seahawks will not face any suspensions for the melee that broke out at the conclusion of their loss to the Jaguars.
The league is still reviewing the fracas for potential discipline. Michael Bennett, Sheldon Richardson and Quinton Jefferson were all flagged for personal fouls. Jefferson and Richardson were both ejected, and all three should face hefty fines for their involvement.
Jets QB Josh McCown will miss the rest of the season with a broken left hand that will require surgery. McCown is one of eight finalists for the NFL’s Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, along with OL Joe Thomas, TE Antonio Gates ,TE Vernon Davis, LB Luke Kuechly DT Haloti Ngata , OL Joe Staley and QB Alex Smith ... Colts coach Chuck Pagano said QB Andrew Luck is “making progress” as he continues to undergo rehab in Europe. Luck had surgery on his right shoulder in January and has not played this season.