Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz might miss preseason week three game vs. Colts

The Indianapolis Colts will make their preseason debut tonight against the Buffalo Bills, but there’s a situation worth noting and monitoring for two weeks from tonight. In two weeks, the Colts will play in their third preseason game, an August 27th contest against the Philadelphia Eagles at home.

One of the things that makes the preseason somewhat interesting is that it’s our first chance to see some rookies and young guys in game action, and the Eagles have a very notable rookie: quarterback Carson Wentz, the number two overall pick in this year’s draft who the Eagles traded up to select. He figured to get plenty of playing time during the preseason, but there’s a very legitimate chance he won’t play in that game against the Colts after all.

Eagles coach Doug Pederson released a statement today announcing that Wentz suffered a hairline fracture in his ribs in the team’s preseason opener and that the hope is to have him back by the end of the preseason.

“Carson felt some discomfort and soreness as we began this morning’s practice,” the statement read. “We decided to limit him throughout the remainder of practice and, as a precaution, sent him for a CT scan after practice. The scan revealed a hairline fracture in his ribs. We do not know an exact timetable for his return, but we hope to have him back before the end of the preseason.”

While he might be able to return before the end of the preseason, it’s unlikely he’d be able to return in just two weeks for the game against the Colts. Rib injuries can be painful, and it wouldn’t be wise for the Eagles to rush their number two pick back too quickly, no matter how valuable preseason reps might be for him. In his preseason debut for the Eagles on Thursday night, he completed 12 of 24 passes (50%) for 89 yards and an interception, while he also rushed three times for 15 yards.