Carson Wentz is back - in the Eagles' QB room, at least
Injured starter shows up to support Nick Foles and Nate Sudfeld. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich recalled his days playing behind Jim Kelly.
Carson Wentz and his repaired left ACL returned to the NovaCare quarterback meeting room Tuesday. It wasn't anywhere near as reassuring as if Wentz had been able to return to the field, but Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich was glad to see him, nonetheless.
"Today he was back in the building, in the quarterback room, and just being himself," Reich said. "That's a tight-knit room. These rooms, our players are close. The three of those [QBs] are really close. So, first and foremost, take care of rehab. Second, support Nick [Foles] and Nate [Sudfeld]."
Reich was Jim Kelly's backup in Buffalo in the 1980s and '90s.
"I remember the times, the couple times that I got in to play, even as it got down the stretch to playoff time, I still remember Jim Kelly, who was the franchise, future Hall of Fame quarterback, it means so much to me to this day that when he got hurt, the support that he gave me," Reich said. "I know that's the kind of support that Carson is giving to Nick and Nate. I think it says a lot about that room, I think it says a lot about Carson that he wants to contribute however he can."
It could be a bit ticklish, though, in that Wentz can't be seen as dominating the room right now, with Foles trying to lead the team.
"Yeah, and he knows that Nick is the guy. That's the way it has to be," Reich said. "The great thing is that room, it's so comfortable in there; it's such a good dynamic. He's not going to ever be a wallflower. He's going to talk, and we're going to laugh, and he's going to give a couple ideas. It's a really good dynamic."
Best Chance
One encouraging thing in the Eagles' victory over the Giants Sunday was that Chance Warmack stepped in at left guard for Stefen Wisniewski (ankle), and the offense still produced 34 points.
"Chance graded out really well," Reich said. "Played well in all aspects. That was good to see. Good for us, good for him and his confidence. What we expected, but good job for Chance."
Mack daddy
The Raiders, who visit the Linc on Christmas night, will bring an elite pass rusher in Khalil Mack, who has 10 1/2 sacks this season.
"They move him around more now than they have the last time that I coached against him," Reich said. "You've got to be prepared for that. You've got to be able to adjust and know where he's going to be. … Their pressure on the quarterback has increased greatly over the last few games."
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