PHILADELPHIA — Let the Carson Wentz injury watch begin.
The Colts quarterback wasn’t at practice Friday after suffering a foot injury, and, according to ESPN, the former Eagles star is out indefinitely and there’s a chance he’s going to miss games to start the season.
The Eagles have a significant amount riding on Wentz’s being dressed and playing with regularity this season. They sent the 28-year-old to Indianapolis in exchange for a conditional second-round pick, which becomes a first-rounder if Wentz plays 75% of the Colts’ regular-season snaps. If Indy makes the playoffs, the threshold drops to 70%.
After trading back in the NFL draft and picking up the Miami Dolphins’ first-rounder in 2022, the Eagles could have one of the best asset pools of any team if Wentz remains healthy. Especially with their interest in big-name, high-priced quarterbacks such as Deshaun Watson, the potential to have three firsts could be pivotal in a trade.
According to an NFL Network report, Wentz is getting the injury looked at by a foot specialist to determine whether surgery is required. If he has to go under the knife, he’ll likely miss a few games to start the season. If not, there’s a chance he’ll be back, but also a chance he’ll have to play through discomfort. Indianapolis has second-year quarterback Jacob Eason, rookie Sam Ehlinger, and undrafted free agent Jalen Morton taking snaps, with Eason reportedly running with the first-team offense.
Wentz has made plenty of waves early in training camp. He declined to answer whether he’s gotten the coronavirus vaccine, saying it was a “personal decision.” This comes after the NFL established a new set of rules surrounding coronavirus-related cancellations of games that greatly incentivizes players to get vaccinated. The league announced 19 teams, including the Eagles, have at least 90% of their players vaccinated. But the Colts reportedly have one of the lowest rates in the league, increasing the risk of an outbreak.
