Doug Pederson: Nick Foles will start Week 16 for Eagles, Carson Wentz still needs rest

The Philadelphia Eagles are on the outside looking in when it comes to the NFC playoffs, but they’re still fighting for a spot.

If they’re going to keep their dream alive, it’s going to be with Nick Foles at quarterback, at least for Week 16.

Doug Pederson: ‘It’ll be Nick’

During his Monday midday meeting with media at the team’s practice facility, Doug Pederson said, “It’ll be Nick” when asked about the team’s quarterback situation.

So Foles will start this Sunday’s home game against the Houston Texans, his fourth start of the season.

“Where Carson [Wentz] is health-wise, and just another week of rest for Carson, what will help him,” Pederson said when asked what went into the decision.

But, Pederson added, Wentz will not be going on injured reserve. The Eagles revealed last week Wentz has a “stress injury” in his back that “has evolved over time.” He sat for the game against the Los Angeles Rams, with Foles and the Eagles coming home with a road upset.

The Eagles are now 7-2 in games Foles has started since last December, when he pressed into service after Wentz suffered a torn ACL against the Rams. That record, of course, includes the team’s run to Super Bowl LII.

Wentz information ‘is favorable’

When Pederson first told reporters of Wentz’s injury, he indicated it could require up to three months of rest. But on Monday, when he said that Foles would definitely start Week 16 but left Week 17 in question, Pederson added that the team has gotten more information that changes things a bit.

“He will be listed as week-to-week; we will not put him on IR. Obviously when he’s healthy he’s our quarterback,” Pederson said.

“We continue to gather information, as we do on all our players. The information is favorable and it’s something that was positive for him, positive for us. But we have to make sure he’s 100 percent before we put him out there.”

Must-win game for both teams

This is a must-win game for both teams: Philadelphia has to win to keep their playoff chances alive, and the Texans have to win to both clinch the AFC South and keep themselves in the No. 2 spot in the conference, which would mean the franchise’s first-ever first-round bye.

Currently, the Eagles are seventh in the NFC standings at 7-7, with the 7-6-1 Minnesota Vikings hold the sixth and final playoff spot.

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