Philadelphia quarterback Carson Wentz was taken to the locker room after receiving a hard hit while diving into the end zone on a play that was called back because of a holding penalty during the third quarter of the Eagles victory against the Los Angeles Rams. You can watch the hit below:
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The Eagles said on Twitter that Wentz would not return to the game because of a knee injury. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Philadelphia is concerned the star quarterback possibly tore his left ACL, a devastating injury that would put him out of action for the rest of the season.
Eagles are concerned QB Carson Wentz tore his left ACL, per source.
“As Carson Wentz walked off the field at one point, his left knee buckled. He headed to locker room, where Eagles treating knee they fear has a torn ACL, per source,” Schefter reports.
The Associated Press has also reported that the Eagles believe Wentz may have torn his ACL. According to the AP report, he will receive an MRI to confirm the severity of the injury.
The end zone dive that possibly resulted in a torn ACL for Carson Wentz.
Backup quarterback Nick Foles took over as the Eagles quarterback in a key game against the Rams. Both teams are battling for the top seeds in the NFC heading down the stretch.
Foles was able to lead the Eagles to a narrow 44-35 victory, leading Philadelphia on two fourth quarter drives that ended with Jake Elliott field goals.
Wentz was hit by the Rams’ Mark Barron as he tried to lunge into the end zone on a scramble near the goal line. His legs appeared to be sandwiched by Rams players. The touchdown was called back because of a holding call Lane Johnson.
Here’s the hit that sent Carson Wentz to the locker room
Wentz stayed in the game and threw a touchdown four plays later to Alshon Jeffrey, his team record 33rd touchdown pass of the season, to put the Eagles ahead of the Rams, 31-28.
That knee doesn’t look right. #carsonwentz #PHIvsLA
But after the touchdown he was evaluated on the sideline. He was able to walk to the locker room under his own power, walking alongside the Eagles trainers.
Carson Wentz makes his way to the locker room.
Reporters initially said Wentz was being evaluated for a concussion, but the Eagles then said he suffered an unspecified left knee injury.
The Eagles have not released any other information about Wentz’s injury.
The #Eagles didn’t have any more information on Carson Wentz’s knee. Expect to hear that he’ll need to undergo testing back in Philly on Monday before a diagnosis is made. But this is clearly bad news.
Fox Sports’ sideline reporter Erin Andrews said that the support staff members who went to the locker room with Wentz were “shaking their heads” when they returned to the field after he was evaluated.
“All the support staff that was [with Carson Wentz” walked out shaking their heads.” – Erin Andrews on Wentz injury
Wentz, a second year quarterback out of North Dakota State, has thrown for more than 3,000 yards and has put together a MVP-level season while leading the Eagles to a 10-2 record.
Before leaving the game, Wentz had completed 23 of his 41 passes, including four touchdowns, and also threw an interception. His touchdown pass to Jeffrey, which came on 4th down, put him ahead of Sonny Jurgenson for the most touchdowns in a single season by an Eagles quarterback.
Foles, his replacement, has a 20-16 career record as a starter, including 15 wins and 9 losses with Philadelphia. The 28-year-old backup was drafted by the Eagles in 2012 and played two season, including a 2013 Pro Bowl year. He was then traded to the then-St. Louis Rams. After a year there and a season in Kansas City, Foles returned to the Eagles as Wentz’s backup this off-season.
Wentz has been essentially injury free during his time in Philadelphia, starting all 16 games during his rookie season in 2016 and all 11 games of the Eagles 2017 season. He did suffer a hairline rib fracture during the 2016 preseason, but did not miss any regular season time.
While playing for the Bison in college, Wentz missed several weeks with a broken wrist during his senior season, but returned in the playoffs to lead North Dakota State to a championship.
Love my team man! These dudes just continue to battle through adversity over and over again.. #FlyEaglesFly
“Love my team man! These dudes just continue to battle through adversity over and over again.. #FlyEaglesFly,” Philadelphia linebacker Jordan Hicks tweeted after the victory.
The win puts the Eagles at 11-2, a game ahead of the Minnesota Vikings for the top seed in the NFC and two games ahead of the 9-4 Rams, New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers. The victory clinched the NFC East title for the Eagles.
The Eagles head to New Jersey to take on the New York Giants next Sunday, before playing at home against the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys to close out the season.