As if the Philadelphia Eagles season wasn’t disappointing enough, tests on quarterback Carson Wentz show a fractured vertebra in his back. Wentz, who was already dealing with recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for last year’s championship run and the start of this season, has been coping with his back issue for a few weeks but tests have been negative until today.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on the Eagles measures to find what was ailing Wentz earlier today.
Eagles’ QB Carson Wentz underwent a scan on his back Wednesday that was inconclusive and was scheduled to undergo an MRI today on his back to help diagnosis an issue that has plagued him for several weeks, per source. Wentz unlikely to play Sunday night vs. Rams.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 13, 2018
Schefter later confirmed that tests had found a fracture in Wentz’s back.
A recent CT scan on Carson Wentz’s back revealed a fractured vertebrae that, if allowed time to rest, would fully heal without further expected issues, sources tell ESPN. There will be a continued evaluation to determine if continuing to play this year will make injury worse.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 13, 2018
The Eagles put Wentz on their injury report Thursday citing his back.
Thursday Injury Report
DNP: DE Bennett (foot), LB Hicks (calf), DT Jernigan (back), CB Jones (hamstring), T Mailata (back), G Seumalo (pectoral), QB Wentz (back)
Limited: WR Gibson (wrist), CB Maddox (ankle, knee)
Full: T Johnson (not injury related – personal)— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 13, 2018
Some have speculated that the Eagles may have had more information on the injury than they disclosed to Wentz. 97.5 The Fanatic’s Jason Myrtetus reported that according to his sources Carson Wentz was not informed of the fracture in his back.
Source: Carson Wentz has had a fracture in his back but was not made aware of the results of the scan. Some players are aware of the situation and what I am told this has caused a huge issue internally.
— Jason Myrtetus (@jasonmyrt) December 13, 2018
Former Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho added to the speculation with a video on Twitter that called the Eagles medical staff into question.
Just saw Carson Wentz got hurt. Time I keep it really real on the #Eagles medical staff. ? pic.twitter.com/DUHNBNrI5k
— Emmanuel Acho (@thEMANacho) December 13, 2018
The good news for Wentz and the Eagles is that the injury won’t require any surgery and should heal with some rest. The bigger problem for the team, if the reports are true, is that a serious injury was being hidden from the franchise quarterback. That rest may cause the quarterback to miss some games and likely the remainder of the season. The Eagles are 6-7 and are not currently in the playoffs. If Wentz misses time with the back injury, backup quarterback and last year’s Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles will start and lead the team on their quest for a playoff spot.
