The Philadelphia Eagles had bee rolling so far this season. With quarterback Carson Wentz at the helm, the Eagles had one of the most potent offenses — and defenses — in the NFL this year. They’ve rolled over teams en route to an 10-2 record and had a matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday to determine which team is the top contender in the NFC this season.
But that all came to a screeching halt near the end of the third quarter.
The Eagles won the game and improved their record to 11-2, but there was certainly no celebrating, even though they locked up the NFC East and a playoff spot with the victory. That’s because Wentz suffered a season-ending injury during the game.
Late in the third quarter, down 28-24, Wentz did what he’s done all season and tried to make a play. As he rolled to the right and leaped toward the end zone on 1st-and-goal, two Rams defensive players connected with him — one high, one low — and Wentz’s knee took the brunt of it. He was able to stay in the game for the rest of the drive, delivering a touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffrey, but there was far greater concern as he headed toward the sideline and the medical tent after the score. Watch the play he got injured on below:
Doctors examined his left knee, and team officials said they feared he tore his ACL. That news was confirmed after an MRI on Monday, and Philadelphia is now left with Nick Foles to lead them the rest of the season. However, there is another option, if the Eagles desire to sign him.
Free agent Colin Kaepernick is still notably looking for a job. With an influx of quarterback injuries around the league this season (Aaron Rodgers, Carson Palmer, Deshaun Watson, etc.), no franchise has taken the chance to sign the 30-year-old former San Francisco 49ers quarterback. So, what are the chances the Eagles sign Kaepernick to replace Wentz the rest of the way?
When asked that question in September, Eagles owner Jeff Lurie said the franchise would have to “fully evaluate it.”
“Like every position situation, if that happened, we’d have to fully evaluate it,” Lurie told reporters. “With Michael Vick, there was a complete vetting of how is he as a teammate? What is his character? What is his potential? What is his football intelligence? Can he be a backup, in Michael’s situation, or third string, in that time period? It’s a whole series of evaluations. That’s how we approach any player acquisition. I don’t want to talk about any specific player.”
Kaepernick became a free agent this past season, but he hasn’t signed with a team yet. Many owners and general managers across the league have remained hesitant to give the former 49ers quarterback a call. Some speculate it’s because of his protests during the anthem and the media firestorm that comes with it. Others say Kaepernick doesn’t have what it takes anymore to lead an NFL offense.
Because he hasn’t been signed yet, Kaepernick and his attorneys filed a collusion lawsuit, arguing that owners and franchises have conspired against him because of his social justice opinions.
With Wentz sidelined, many on social media, including NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter, have called for Philadelphia to sign Kaepernick.
So, do you think the Eagles should sign Kaepernick? Vote in the poll below.
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Carson Wentz Torn ACL: Will the Eagles Sign Colin Kaepernick?