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Doug Pederson to avoid designed runs for Carson Wentz until late in season

Carson Wentz said he wants to be a thrower – not a runner. And Eagles coach Doug Pederson will make that an emphasis of the game plan by avoiding designed quarterback runs early in the season.

"Without giving away the game plan? No, I'm not," Pederson said of designing runs by the QB. "Now, this week for us, it's our fourth game of the season. As a staff, we've got to be extremely smart on how we handle that aspect of the game.

"Probably the deeper as you go into your regular season, if you are in a position to make the postseason, you might increase that a little bit. One of the things that I think defenses sometimes forget -- I'm not saying they forget it completely -- is the quarterback and the ability to run."

The Chiefs used designed runs effectively with quarterback Alex Smith while Pederson was offensive coordinator. Smith rushed for a career-high 498 yards last season, and his three highest-rushing outputs during 11 years in the NFL came with the Chiefs.

"I think that was the advantage to us in Kansas City with Alex Smith, and his strength was the ability to run the football," Pederson said. "As we got deeper into the season, we dialed up a few more of those for him. I think it could be the same type of formula with Carson. Obviously, you want to protect him and you want to get through a full 16-game schedule. But I think the deeper you go, you increase it a little bit more."

Wentz said at North Dakota State he had 8-10 designed runs a game. Asked if he would like more designed runs, he said, "It is what it is."

"So far, I can't complain about the play-calling," Wentz said. "It's been tremendous. He's put us in a real good position to make plays, and I trust that he will the rest of the year as well."