Eagles QB Foles plans to 'keep this thing rolling'

Dec 14, 2017 - 1:52 AM PHILADELPHIA -- Nick Foles practiced for the first time Wednesday as the Philadelphia Eagles' new starting quarterback.

While Carson Wentz was in Pittsburgh having surgery to repair his torn left ACL, Foles was preparing for Sunday's NFC East game against the New York Giants (2-11).

The Eagles clinched the division Sunday night with a 43-35 win over the Los Angeles Rams, earning their first playoff invitation since 2013 when Foles was the team's starting quarterback.

If they beat the Giants this week, the Eagles (11-2) will clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Foles, who was traded to the Rams for Sam Bradford after the 2014 season, spent last season as a backup in Kansas City with the Chiefs.

He became a free agent in March and had hoped to sign with a team that would give him a starting opportunity. But no offers materialized. When the Eagles offered him a job as Wentz's backup, he accepted it.

And now, he's the starter.

"A big part of (the reason for) me coming here was to support Carson," Foles said. "But my job now is to step in that huddle and keep this thing rolling. And that's what I plan on doing."

Foles led the NFL in passing with the Eagles in 2013 when he threw 27 touchdown passes and just two interceptions in 10 starts. He has 36 career starts and 56 career touchdown passes.

Before Wentz got hurt, the Eagles were considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Foles knows there are a lot of people who think the Super Bowl is a pipe-dream now without Wentz, who has an NFL-high 33 touchdowns, including four against the Rams, the last one of which he threw after tearing his ACL.

"That's just part of the game, part of what people are going to say," Foles said of the skepticism. "I'm fully confident in this team. I'm 100 percent confident in myself. I've been here before. I've played in the league. I've played for the Eagles before.

"I'm going to step up. I know how to do it. I know how to play this game. And I'm going to capitalize on all of the great players around me too."

Foles has a strong, accurate arm and is a good decision-maker. What he doesn't have is Wentz's mobility and ability to extend plays. In 2013, he had arguably the best offensive line in the league protecting him. Their starting five that year didn't miss a single start.

This time around, he won't have nine-time Pro-Bowl left tackle Jason Peters protecting his blind side. Left guard also could be a problem if Stefen Wisniewski isn't able to go. He suffered a high-ankle sprain Sunday against the Rams. Both of his replacements -- Chance Warmack and Isaac Seumalo -- struggled.

SERIES HISTORY: 166th regular-season meeting. Giants lead series, 83-80-2. The Eagles have won six of the last seven meetings, including a 27-24 victory in Week 3. They won that game on a 61-yard field goal by Jake Elliott with no time left.

--Cornerback Sidney Jones practiced for the first time since the team drafted him in the second round last April. Jones has been on the non-football injury list recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon that he suffered during a pre-draft Pro Day workout. Jones is permitted to practice for three weeks before the Eagles have to make a decision on whether to activate him or keep him on reserve/non-football injury. The latter appears to be the likely result.

"We're just kind of easing him back into football shape and seeing where he's at," head coach Doug Pederson said.

--Carson Wentz had surgery Wednesday to repair the torn ACL in his left knee. The surgery was performed in Pittsburgh by James P. Bradley, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He was selected by Wentz's agent group. Wentz tore the ligament late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Los Angeles Rams on a run as he was trying to get into the end zone. He was hit by two Rams in the end zone, but he already apparently had torn the ligament right before that. He stayed in the game for three more plays, including a two-yard touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery, before limping to the sideline.

--The Eagles insist the change in quarterback from Carson Wentz to Nick Foles will have no effect on the offense, even though Foles is considerably less mobile than Wentz.

"There will be very minor, minor tweaks to the game plan," offensive coordinator Frank Reich said. "I mean, this is our system. This is what we built. Certainly, it starts at quarterback. But it's really built around all the talent that we have on offense. And good for us that all of our quarterbacks are talented."

NOTES: LG Stefen Wisniewski didn't practice Wednesday. He suffered a high-ankle sprain in the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Rams. The Eagles remain hopeful he will be able to play this week, particularly since his two replacements -- Chance Warmack and Isaac Seumalo -- struggled mightily. ... S Rodney McLeod was limited in practice Wednesday with a quadriceps injury. It doesn't appear to be serious enough to keep him out of Sunday's game against the Giants. ... TE Zach Ertz, who missed Sunday's game with a concussion, was a full practice participant Wednesday and will play this week against the Giants. ... LB Joe Walker, who has missed the last two games with a neck injury, was a full practice participant Wednesday. ... DE Derek Barnett practiced fully Wednesday. He is nursing a groin injury.