Backups help resilient Eagles overcome major injuries
PHILADELPHIA (AP) Using a cane to walk on his surgically repaired left knee, Carson Wentz celebrated a victory with his teammates that many thought the Philadelphia Eagles couldn't secure without him.
Wentz led them to a division title. Nick Foles is taking them to the Super Bowl.
Losing Wentz in Week 14 after the second-year quarterback had an MVP-caliber season was supposed to be a crippling blow to a team that had already lost nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters, playmaking linebacker Jordan Hicks, versatile returner/running back Darren Sproles and special teams ace Chris Maragos.
But the Eagles are one victory away from the franchise's first NFL title since 1960 thanks to key contributions from several backups.
''It's the next-man-up mentality,'' coach Doug Pederson said Monday. ''It also means that you have some veteran players that keep things together, and good coaching staffs. I think it's a tribute to the players and everyone involved that they can keep things going even through that adversity.''
Foles led the way with a spectacular performance in a 38-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC championship game . He threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns while joining Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to complete 75 percent of their passes in consecutive playoff games.
''We lean on each other and we play for each other and that's what's special about this team,'' Foles said. ''There's never going to be a time when we're going to turn on each other. We're always going to be there to support each other and that's the beautiful thing about the Philadelphia Eagles.''
Even team owner Jeffery Lurie couldn't have predicted this success.
''It surprised me because of all the injuries,'' Lurie said. ''The resiliency among this group is phenomenal.''
Sproles, one of the best returners in league history and a major part of the offense, tore his left ACL and broke his right forearm on the same play against the Giants in the home opener on Sept. 24.
The team signed Kenjon Barner to replace him on punts and rookie Corey Clement has stepped up to fill Sproles' role as a third down specialist.
Maragos tore his right PCL at Carolina on Oct. 12. The unit struggled without him until Bryan Braman re-signed with the team in December.
Peters tore his right ACL and MCL in a Monday night game against the Redskins on Oct. 23. Halapoulivaati Vaitai replaced him in the starting lineup and has improved with more playing time.
Vaitai gained valuable experience as a rookie last year filling in for Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson when he was suspended 10 games.
''Had a lot of confidence in (Vaitai),'' Pederson said. ''These are obviously the things we've seen in him: his maturity, his growth as a left tackle.''
Hicks ruptured his right Achilles in the same game Peters went down. It was a big loss because Hicks calls the defensive signals and is a playmaker. He has seven interceptions and five fumble recoveries in 31 games.
Joe Walker and Najee Goode replaced him initially before the Eagles signed former Ravens starter Dannell Ellerbe to take his spot. Ellerbe missed the victory over Minnesota because of a hamstring injury and Goode was beat on a touchdown pass in the first quarter.
''I think that's what makes it more special with these guys,'' Pederson said. ''You start losing some of your top players to injury. You just kind of see the fight in the guys and the resiliency in the guys. The guys just keep battling. For us to believe in one another and to be now in this spot, I'm just so happy for those guys, and hat's off to them.''
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