A recent CT scan on Carson Wentz's back revealed a fractured vertebra that, if allowed time for rest, would fully heal so that there would be no further expected issues, sources told ESPN.
There will be a continued evaluation of his back to determine whether continuing to play this season would worsen the injury for the Philadelphia Eagles' starting quarterback.
"Carson, he's going to handle it like a champ. He's one of the best quarterbacks in the league and he's the best young quarterback in the league. He was even playing at a high level with what he was dealing with. And I don't know if you know, going through reads, it helps to have a healthy back," wide receiver Jordan Matthews said Thursday.
"He was still going out there and producing at a high level with the injury. With this situation right now, sitting down, I don't think it has affected his confidence at all. He knows who he is, he knows what he brings to the table and he knows what he means to this team. It just sucks that he can't play right now."
"With this situation right now, sitting down, I don't think it has affected his confidence at all. He knows who he is, he knows what he brings to the table and he knows what he means to this team. It just sucks that he can't play right now."Jordan Matthews, on Carson Wentz's back injury
Eagles coach Doug Pederson said Wednesday that Wentz was experiencing "soreness" and "tightness" in his back and wouldn't practice.
This isn't the first time this season that Wentz has appeared on the team's injury report because of his back. He was a limited participant on consecutive Wednesdays in late October, but this Wednesday's absence marked the first time he missed a practice this season. Wentz missed practice again Thursday.
It was one year ago this past Monday that Wentz tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee against the Los Angeles Rams. The main storyline heading into this week was Wentz's return to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the first time since the injury for a rematch against Jared Goff, who went first overall in the 2016 NFL draft, one slot ahead of Wentz.
Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles will take the reins as the 6-7 Eagles try to keep their playoff hopes alive against the 11-2 Rams.
"Nick is the Super Bowl MVP. He'll be all right," safety Malcolm Jenkins said Thursday.
ESPN's Tim McManus contributed to this report.