Philadelphia Eagles: It seems unlikely Carson Wentz will play preseason

Questions surrounding Carson Wentz’s availability in the preseason remain — but it sounds like the Philadelphia Eagles don’t plan to play him.

The NFL Preseason has become less about the team getting some live practice reps in, and more about the roster hopefuls showcasing their talent. While that’s not really a problem, it can be a bit frustrating for those who are impatient and want to see the starter’s get some action.

Over the last couple of years, the Philadelphia Eagles haven’t been reluctant to play their starters a bit in the preseason. But after a ridiculous amount of injuries occurring to the team over the last two seasons, it might feel like too much of a risk to let the guaranteed starters play.

Last week, Doug Pederson wouldn’t reveal who was in and who was out for the first week of the preseason. Up until the team took the field moments before kick-off, many starter’s statuses were up in the air. To no surprise, most of the veterans were out — including quarterback, Carson Wentz.

Wentz missed all of last year’s preseason due to being in recovery for a torn ACL. This year, he’s fully healthy, but the Eagles haven’t had him involved in some game action since last December. It seemed like Wentz could garner some week two and week three reps in the preseason this year, but a sudden injury to Nate Sudfeld might’ve destroyed those chances.

With the injury bug looming around Wentz, and Sudfeld officially out for at least six weeks, it might be in the Eagles best interest to sit Carson Wentz until week one of the regular season. Pederson or Wentz won’t confirm that idea, but it sure sounds like it’s being considered.

What’re the chances Wentz plays in the preseason?

If you ask Coach Pederson about whether Carson Wentz will play against the Jacksonville Jaguars or not this week, he will tell you he’s unsure. While that’s most likely a fib by the coach, he’s just trying to keep everybody in the unknown, sort of like how he handles the injury reports.

However, when asked about Wentz’s summer, Pederson did mention that he was trying to re-create portions of practice to make it feel like a game as much as possible. Then, when Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski asked Wentz about the possibility of him missing the preseason, the Eagles quarterback responded by stating there’s no downside for him to not play.

Still, there are no definitive answers on whether Wentz will play or not — but it sure sounds like the team is more worried about being careful with Carson and allowing Cody Kessler and Clayton Thorson to get as many reps as possible. Plus, Wentz and the rest of the starters will get some real-time practice opponents with the Baltimore Ravens next week. That could be Wentz’s preseason action right there.