Matt Rourke/Associated Press

Carson Wentz Reportedly Will Be Ready for Eagles' Offseason Program After Injury

Tim Daniels

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz will reportedly be available for the team's offseason program in April after he missed the last three regular-season games and two playoff contests because of a stress fracture in his back.

On Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Wentz has been going through a "strengthening program" as part of his rehab from the injury and should be healthy enough to practice with the Eagles in the spring, though it's unclear whether the team will want him to take part.

Nick Foles, who won the Super Bowl LII MVP award after taking over for an injured Wentz at the end of the 2017 regular season, again enjoyed success while filling the void in 2018. He led Philly to three straight regular-season wins to secure a postseason berth and a wild-card playoff win over the Chicago Bears.

After the Eagles were eliminated by the New Orleans Saints in the divisional round, head coach Doug Pederson said Wentz will remain the team's starter in 2019.

"Yes, Carson Wentz is the quarterback going forward," Pederson told reporters. "And in Nick's case, listen, we'd love to have everybody back throughout the roster, but as I've said many, many times, it's not about one guy, it's about the team, and we're going to do what's best for the team."

Meanwhile, Foles—who said he has been "energized" by his second stint in Philadelphia, per Tim McManus of ESPN.com—wants to become a full-time starter again.

"Yeah, like I said, I would love to lead a team," he said, per McManus. "The starter thing, leading a team, impacting a locker room ... that's why we play the game, to impact people, to create an atmosphere."

Wentz completed 69.6 percent of his throws for 3,074 yards and 21 touchdowns with seven interceptions across 11 games before his season ended prematurely. Those numbers combined with the fact he's four years younger than Foles make it no surprise Philly is standing behind the 2016 second overall pick.

Yet Wentz's injury history suggests the Eagles need a proven backup waiting in the wings, and Foles has filled that role to perfection in recent years.

If he does leave via trade or free agency—he can enter the open market even if Philadelphia exercises his 2019 option by paying the team $2 million, per Spotrac—finding a new chief reserve to Wentz will become one of the front office's top offseason priorities.

   

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