Eagles' Carson Wentz developed sore elbow during season, sources say

INDIANAPOLIS - Carson Wentz experienced soreness in his right elbow last season that the Eagles believed was related to his throwing mechanics, sources close to the situation said.

The soreness wasn't significant enough that Wentz had to be listed on the team's injury report, and the Eagles also believed that it was partly because the rookie quarterback was throwing more than he ever had in his career. But his elbow pain was significant enough that the Eagles stressed that he took additional time off after the season ended.

"Take time off. Get away. Get healthy. Get fresh. Get rejuvenated," Eagles coach Doug Pederson said Wednesday when asked for his parting message to Wentz on Jan. 2. "And that's what he's done."

Wentz finished the season with 607 pass attempts, the second-highest total ever for an NFL rookie behind Andrew Luck's 627 in 2012.

Last month at the Super Bowl in Houston, Wentz said he had yet to pick up a football and throw.

"The first couple of weeks it was good," Wentz said Feb. 2, "but then watching some of these [playoff] games, I was like, 'Man, I just want to go in the backyard and throw it around.' "

Wentz eventually started throwing later that month. He worked out in Southern California with trainer Adam Dedeaux, who uses biomechanics and other analysis to maximize a quarterback's throwing motion.

Dedeaux is a protege of Tom House, the former major-league pitcher who has worked with many NFL quarterbacks, including Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Matt Ryan. Pederson said that he had no problem with Wentz's training with independent coaches.

"For him to go and develop his craft and to get better and to seek some training outside our building - it just helps him get better," Pederson said at the NFL combine. "I'm all for guys getting better and helping the football team win games in the fall."

While Wentz has spent most of the offseason in Philadelphia and sometimes trained at the NovaCare Complex, the Eagles aren't permitted to talk football with their quarterback until the offseason program begins April 17.