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Reports: Eagles' Wentz dealing with back fracture

By The Sports Xchange
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz drops back to pass against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 18, 2018. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz drops back to pass against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 18, 2018. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI. | License Photo

Philadephia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is dealing with a fracture in his back that threatens his season, multiple media outlets reported Thursday.

Wentz is not expected to play Sunday's matchup at the Los Angeles Rams after an MRI exam revealed a fractured vertebrae, according to ESPN. Wentz underwent CT Scans throughout the season but none revealed the injury, the NFL Network reported.

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Surgery is not needed to repair the issue that has plagued Wentz for a number of weeks, but the reigning Super Bowl champions must decide if continuing to play will risk further injury to the quarterback.

Philadelphia (6-7) is among three teams that trail Minnesota (6-6-1) for the sixth and final playoff spot in the NFC.

Wentz was listed on the injury report with back soreness during Weeks 7 and 8, but Eagles coach Doug Pederson on Wednesday said the 25-year-old did not add to the issue during Sunday's 29-23 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

If Wentz is unable to go against the Rams, the Eagles will turn to backup Nick Foles, who took over for an injured Wentz last December and guided Philadelphia to a Super Bowl championship.

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Foles, who was named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, started the first two games this season while Wentz continued to rehab from the torn ACL and LCL he suffered in his left knee last December. Foles threw for 451 yards with one touchdown and one interception as the Eagles split their first two games this season.

The 25-year-old Wentz was considered the front-runner for league MVP honors before he was hurt a year ago, throwing for 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Drafted No. 2 overall by Philadelphia in the 2016 NFL Draft, Wentz completed 279 of 401 passes for 3,074 yards with 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 contests in 2018. He has thrown for 70 touchdowns against 28 interceptions in 40 career games.

Foles struggled when taking over for Wentz a year ago, but he compiled a passer rating of at least 100.1 in all three postseason victories.

A former third-round pick of the Eagles, Foles threw for 352 yards and three scores in a 38-7 rout of Minnesota in the NFC Championship Game. He followed that up by guiding Philadelphia to a 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, completing 28 of 43 passes for 373 yards and three touchdowns.

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The 29-year-old Foles also provided one of the highlights of the victory when he caught a touchdown pass right before halftime on the famous "Philly Special" play.

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