NFL officials miss blatant foul, targeting on Carson Wentz, reactions
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz leaves Wild Card Game after a blatant personal foul is missed by the officials.
Well, so much for protecting the quarterback. After willing his team to the postseason and winning must-win game after must-win game, Philadelphia Eagles franchise signal-caller Carson Wentz left the NFC Wild Card Game with minutes remaining in the first quarter with a head injury.
At the tail end of a scramble, Wentz went head first for extra yardage. Unfortunately, Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney went headfirst into the back of Wentz’s helmet. No flag was thrown on the play.
The NFL‘s targeting rule possess explicit language, including ‘initiating forcible contact by delivering a blow with the top/crown of the helmet when outside the tackle box’. Take a look at this one, you be the judge as to whether or not this qualifies.
Carson Wentz is being evaluated for a concussion because of this play pic.twitter.com/0nuu4cPBRc
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 5, 2020
As you might imagine, Eagles fans and the Philly media are outraged. Here are a few reactions.
So Wentz did everything over the past month to change the narrative, and now he gets knocked out by an unpenalized cheap shot. Life ain’t fair.
— Glen Macnow (@RealGlenMacnow) January 5, 2020
Still no sign of Carson Wentz on the #Eagles' sideline. Not sure how long this process should take but he's not back out there yet and the team hasn't updated his injury status.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 5, 2020
So in 2020, despite a huge raft of rules aimed at protecting QBs, you can drive a starting QB's head into the ground with your helmet and shoulder and take him out of a playoff game in the first quarter.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 5, 2020
If Wentz can’t go, veteran backup Josh McCown will have to lead the offense down the stretch. At the time of this story being published, less than four minutes remained in the first half, and neither Wentz or Brandon Graham, who was injured in the first half had yet to return from the locker room.
Related Story. Wentz injured: Former star, analyst share unclassy moment. light
Greg Ward was seen throwing some passes on the sideline as well. He’s now, apparently, the backup quarterback.
As you might imagine, this isn’t what everyone expected when the buzz surrounding Carson Wentz’s first playoff game reached a fever pitch.
The Philadelphia Eagles had real aspirations of reaching Miami despite all of the injuries and doubt that has surrounded them, but with ’11’ out, if that is indeed the case, one might begin to think that the chances of that actually happening will diminish a great deal.