Carson Wentz Update: NFL insider says Eagles quarterback may be out until October

We know that Carson Wentz won’t play in the Philadelphia Eagles’ Week 1 game against the Atlanta Falcons tonight. Nick Foles is getting the start with Wentz ruled out.

So when WILL Wentz return?

NFL insider Ian Rapoport addressed this topic during a TV hit on NFL Network’s pregame show prior to Eagles versus Falcons. Here’s what he had to say:

My understanding is that it’s not going to be for several weeks. And there’s a good reason why. It’s not just the fact they have the Super Bowl MVP, Nick Foles, waiting in the wings. Although, that does help and it would explain why the Eagles did not even consider teams calling and trading for Foles despite some offered a second round pick. They are being overly cautious with the face of their franchise. They know this is a decision that will not just affect the next couple of weeks but the next 10 or 15 years. They are not going to put him out there until he is 100% healthy. As far as why he rehab may look — at the surface — a little slower than other ACL rehabs, it’s because he also had an LCL [tear]. And actually, the leg will stay in the brace a couple weeks longer with an LCL than it would’ve with an ACL. That is why, at this point, Wentz has still not been cleared for contact. And that is why you’re likely to see Nick Foles until maybe even October.

It must be noted that Rapoport’s reporting about Eagles injuries has been shaky this offseason. But he WAS the first one to correctly report it would be Foles — and not Wentz — starting against the Falcons.

Rapoport’s sentiment matches up with what former NFL team doctor Dr. David Chao recently had to say about Wentz still being “multiple weeks away” from returning.

If Wentz won’t be back until October, that means Foles is slated to start the following games ... at least:

Week 1 - vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sept. 6, 8:20 PM ET, NBC)

Week 2 - at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sept. 16, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)

Week 3 - vs. Indianapolis Colts (Sept. 23, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)

Week 4 - at Tennessee Titans (Sept. 30, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)

Perhaps Wentz would then be ready to come back when the Eagles host the Minnesota Vikings (who they destroyed by a final score of 38-7 in the NFC Championship Game) in Week 5 on October 7.

Foles has certainly proved he can help the Eagles win. But there’s no denying that the team’s ceiling is ultimately higher when Wentz is at quarterback.

Hopefully Wentz continues to progress well and we’ll see him back on the field healthy soon.

UPDATE: Les Bowen is hearing what Rapoport is hearing.