As his Philadelphia Eagles prepare to take on the New England Patriots in Sunday’s Super Bowl, quarterbak Carson Wentz continues his long rehab.
An MVP candidate for the vast majority of the 2017 season, it’s now well known that Wentz went down with a devastating torn ACL back in Week 14. While Nick Foles has performed well in his stead, Wentz is the true franchise quarterback in Philadelphia.
Despite suffering this horrific injury, most figured Wentz would be back and ready to go in time for the 2018 season.
Now, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, that’s in no way a guarantee.
“According to several sources with knowledge of Wentz’s rehab, it’s ‘realistic’ to believe he’ll be good to go for the opener,” Rapoport reported. “It’s not a given, and no one knows for sure. But there is optimism.”
The NFL insider went on to note that the reason it’s not a given Wentz will return to start next season is that he also suffered a torn LCL in addition to the ACL tear.
From @NFLGameDay: It’s “realistic” that #Eagles QB Carson Wentz will be ready for the start of the season, though it may be close https://t.co/v420brMrbb pic.twitter.com/pNbYjPMlTP
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 4, 2018
Considering Week 1 of the 2018 season is nine months removed from when Wentz suffered said injury, the hope here is that he will be able to go.
But for the Eagles, this could have a large role in what the team decides to do with Foles. The veteran has one year remaining on his contract. This has led to speculation the Eagles might look to move him. If it’s not a guarantee Wentz will be able to go Week 1, Philadelphia might just decide to hang on to Foles.