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PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz will operate without many of his top players as he makes his debut in 2018 on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.
Opponents Jay Ajayi (back) and Darren Sproles (hamstring) were out of the match after being unable to train all week. Corey Clement, who returned in Friday's game with a quad injury, is considered dubious, but should play according to a source. Wendell Smallwood and rookie Josh Adams will be called to fill the void if he can not go.
Receiver Alshon Jeffery is considered uncertain, as is tackle Jason Peters (quad). Jeffery still had not been allowed to get in touch as early as Friday, said coach Doug Pederson, but his workload has increased. They could use it, especially with Mike Wallace, the junior catcher, placed on an injured reserve this week with a fractured fibula.
The Eagles brought Jordan Matthews back Wednesday to address the exhausted receiver corps. He was with the 2014-2016 team, is a close friend of Wentz and is familiar with Pederson's system, but he only has a few days left to get back on his feet.
"He's very familiar with the terminology, the players, obviously the quarterback, it's the first thing [you notice]"Said Pederson. And secondly, his leadership on the ground, the way he behaves, the way he can handle the roads and just a smart guy. These are the things that he brought us and that allow him to play. "
Matthews plays almost exclusively in the slot, which means that Nelson Agholor, who has thrived inside since Matthews was traded for the Buffalo Bills in the off season, will probably turn more outward as the Eagles attempt to operate their new group of recipients. Pederson is also likely to rely on his tight end trio of Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert and Josh Perkins to fend for themselves while other positions are shorthanded.
"It does not affect gaming calls, it only affects the staff in the game," Pederson said of the injuries. "We are down some bodies, but look, we do not apologize, it's part of the National Football League, injuries will happen every week and we have to prepare the next guy."
Wentz will make his first outing nine months after the surgery to repair the ACL and LCL in the left knee. Ertz noted that the team can not expect Wentz to be "Superman" after a long layoff. But he will be asked to carry part of the charge Sunday, given the exhausted support around him.
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