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Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz set for one and done against Buffalo Bills

By The Sports Xchange
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws downfield against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of their NFL game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, December 18, 2016. File photo by David Tulis/UPI
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws downfield against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of their NFL game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, December 18, 2016. File photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo

PHILADELPHIA -- Head coach Doug Pederson said Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz will play about the same number of snaps Thursday against the Buffalo Bills as he did last week against the Green Bay Packers.

"One drive, maybe two at the most," Pederson said.

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Asked why he is limiting Wentz's playing time so much, Pederson said, "We have four of these games. If you can get the quarterback and all of the starters in game mode (that's sufficient). The bullets don't really fly for real for another couple of weeks. The other thing you guard against (is) a hit or something in the game that might take him out. I guard against that a little bit. But at the same time, I want to make sure he's mentally in the right frame of mind to go in and start."

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The Eagles attempted 54 passes in last week's preseason loss to the Green Bay Packers and ran the ball just 19 times. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich said the run-pass imbalance had to do with the fact that the Packers blitzed on almost every play.

"That's a little bit unusual for a preseason game," he said. "It was good for us to see. There are things that you normally do to attack that personnel-wise, game plan-wise, that quite honestly, we didn't do or want to show."

The Eagles rushed for only 47 yards on those 19 carries.

"It's unfortunate the way the game kind of took off," said Pederson. "I really feel like we've got a good offensive line that can handle that with the backs we have. Hopefully, (the run game) is something we can focus on Thursday night (against Buffalo)."

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Versatile running back Darren Sproles gave serious thought to retiring after last season. He was 33 going on 34 (he turned 34 in June), which is well past the sell-by date for a NFL running back.

He had a career-high 94 rushing attempts and 146 total touches from scrimmage, which was the second most of his career. Had a late-season concussion that sidelined him for a game.

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He handled the heavy workload fine, averaging 4.7 yards per carry, 8.2 yards per catch and a career-high 13.2 yards per attempt on punt returns.

But his two daughters, Devyn and Rhyan, were going to be eight and three, and he had had a good, long run, and he wondered whether it might be time to get on with the rest of his life.

"I sat down and talked it over with my wife," Sproles said Monday. "She was fine either way. But I decided I wasn't ready yet. We haven't been to the playoffs since I got here (in 2014). I didn't want to leave like that, you know what I'm saying?"

Looking around the roster:

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Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is expected to see his first action of the preseason against Buffalo.

"I'm leaning towards him playing," Pederson said.

Jeffery injured his shoulder early in the training camp, but is fine now.

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Left tackle Jason Peters was excused from practice Tuesday to attend to a personal matter. Pederson said he doesn't know yet whether Peters will be back in time for Thursday night's game. The 35-year-old Peters, a nine-time Pro Bowler, is going to play only a few snaps against the Bills anyway.

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Running back Ryan Mathews was released Tuesday after passing his physical. Mathews injured his neck last December and needed major surgery. It's uncertain if he will play again.

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Cornerback Ronald Darby, who the Eagles acquired in a trade with Buffalo last week, was immediately installed as a starter. He is expected to play Thursday, but probably not a lot.

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Quarterback Nick Foles returned to practice Monday after missing two weeks with a sore elbow. He is not expected to play Thursday against Buffalo. Foles will back up starter Carson Wentz this season.

"Nick is a veteran guy," Pederson said. "I don't need to see a bunch out of him. He's on track. He understands our scheme. So, I'm not overly concerned (if he doesn't play a lot in the preseason)."

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