Also, Nick Foles on going to the Super Bowl, Zach Ertz on Wentz and Malcolm Jenkins on the defense. Martin Frank/The News Journal
Eagles QB Nick Foles talks about reaching the Super Bowl, Patrick Robinson on his interception return for a touchdown, and more. Martin Frank/The News Journal
Martin Frank's 4-down territory for Eagles' game against the Vikings in the NFC Championship game, with a prediction. Wochit-Martin Frank/The News Journal
Nick Foles and Vikings QB Case Keenum were teammates with the Rams in 2015. Martin Frank/The News Journal
Jalen Mills, Ronald Darby, Jay Ajayi on Eagles’ playoff win. Martin Frank/The News Journal
Pass rush on Matt Ryan forced errant pass, he said. Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal
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PHILADELPHIA – Carson Wentz said to this day, he doesn't know how his knee injury happened.
All the Eagles' quarterback knew at the time was that it was bad, and that it was going to end his season. Wentz confirmed that he tore his ACL and LCL in his first comments to the media since suffering the injury on Dec. 10 in a game against the Los Angeles Rams.
It was the first time that Wentz or the Eagles mentioned the LCL being torn. It's not known if that will make it a longer recovery process.
Wentz said "I'm aiming" to return in time for Week 1 of the 2018 season in September, and that he "truly believes" he'll be ready by then. But he couldn't say for sure.
"Honestly, we’ll see what happens," Wentz said when asked about returning in time for training camp in late July. "We’ll see what happens. My goal is to be out there Week 1. The timetable stuff, I wish I knew, just as much as you guys. It’s such a fluid process. We’ll just see what happens."
Then he added: "I 100 percent believe I'll be back better than ever, stronger than ever, with no looking back."
Wentz spoke at his locker Friday with a large brace on his left knee. He was seen at practice earlier Friday, but without a cane, which he had during the Eagles' 38-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game last Sunday.
Before that, Wentz was on crutches.
Nick Foles took over at quarterback for the Eagles in the fourth quarter against the Rams, and has started the last five games. That included both of the Eagles' playoff victories – 15-10 over the Atlanta Falcons in the Divisional Round on Jan. 13, followed by the win over the Vikings.
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But Foles struggled over the final two regular season games. Wentz said he wasn't worried. After all, Foles missed most of the preseason with an elbow injury, and he rarely got any reps in practice once the season started. Those go to the starting quarterback.
"He’s playing confidently," Wentz said. "Getting reps, I think, has been big. Just getting those extra reps through playoff practices and everything. It’s not easy to just step in there, having no reps throughout the season, missing training camp and everything, the preseason.
"This game is such a timing thing. It’s getting those extra reps. You can see the confidence that he has. He’s always been a playmaker. He’s always able to make plays and throw the ball deep. It’s really cool to see him coming into his own the last couple weeks. He’s playing unbelievable."
Foles threw for 352 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Vikings. Wentz said he was thrilled for Foles.
And he is also thrilled to receive the support that he has from teammates, family members and fans throughout the process. Wentz was having an MVP-caliber season before his injury.
Part of that, of course, was Wentz's ability to escape pressure and take off down the field. That's when he was doing when he got hurt. But Wentz said the injury won't change the way he plays.
The injury apparently happened late in the third quarter when Wentz dove for the end zone from two yards out. Two Rams defenders converged on him as he dove, banging into his legs.
Eagles coach Doug Pederson said in the days after the injury that it might have occurred when Wentz planted his knee before diving for the end zone. But that hasn't been confirmed.
"As far as playing aggressive and being the player that I am, I won’t change," he said.
Wentz stayed in the game for three more plays. In fact, his last pass of the season, a 2-yard touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery, set the Eagles' record for touchdown passes for a season. That gave Wentz 33, breaking the record set by Sonny Jurgensen in 1961.
Wentz said dealing with the injury was difficult at first, just knowing that his season was over.
"I had to fight those feelings of self-pity for that day," Wentz said. "I got through that pretty quick. This team, my teammates, friends, and family, the fans, my faith in the Lord has gotten me through and it’s been great."
His teammates got over it quickly, too. After the game against the Rams, safety Malcolm Jenkins addressed the team in the locker room, saying that the injury won't derail the team's goals.
"Guys had a feeling what it was, and I thought Malcolm addressed it great," Wentz said. "And it’s been the next man up. That’s the mentality we had all year long. No one flinched, no one blinked. I think it proves my point right now of where we’re at and how we’re still winning ball games."
There is one left to play, of course, in the Super Bowl against New England on Feb. 4. Wentz will be on the sidelines, watching his teammates play. He was asked what it would be like to win:
"It’d be awesome," he said. "It’d be awesome."
Then he added: "I think we have the culture around here. I said it since I got here, we have something special here, without a doubt."
Wing tips
DT Tim Jernigan missed practice with an illness and RB Jay Ajayi (ankle) was limited for a second straight day. The Eagles will practice again Saturday before flying to Minneapolis on Sunday.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.