PHILADELPHIA _ Carson Wentz has a fractured vertebra, revealed after the Eagles quarterback underwent a series of tests, an NFL source said Thursday.
The team didn't officially comment.
The fracture will fully heal if given sufficient time, the source said. The Eagles have yet to rule out Wentz for Sunday's game at the Los Angeles Rams, but he didn't practice Wednesday and Thursday and is unlikely to play based on the recent news. Backup Nick Foles has taken first-team repetitions and likely will start for the first time since Week 2.
The Eagles are still determining whether Wentz can play with the injury, the source said. He was present at the start of Thursday's workout and did some light jogging at one point. The 6-7 Eagles, who are still alive for a playoff spot, will have games against Texans and Redskins after the Rams.
Wentz underwent a CT scan on Wednesday and an MRI on Thursday, NFL sources said. He also will seek medical advice outside the Eagles medical staff, those sources said. While that isn't abnormal, many Eagles players this season have gone outside the NovaCare Complex rather than work with the team's new medical team.
The Eagles have already placed 13 players _ tight end Richard Rodgers came off on a short-term designation last month _ on injured reserve. They've also had a number of injuries peculiar both in their handling and in recovery, particular soft-tissue injuries. Running back Darren Sproles, for instance, suffered two setbacks with a hamstring strain and missed 11 games. Cornerback Sidney Jones also has dealt with multiple hamstring strains.
Wentz was first listed on the injury report with a "back" injury in October. He was limited for two midweek practices in back-to-back weeks. A back specialist was flown in from Los Angeles to work on Wentz, but he was one of several players who received treatment, per sources. It's unclear if that back injury had anything to do with the latest diagnosis.
Wentz's representation declined to comment. He has not yet been made available to reporters. Coach Doug Pederson, who described Wentz's injury as "back soreness" Wednesday, is scheduled to have a news conference Friday.
