Wentz Optimistic for Week 1 of 2018

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - Injured Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz made a surprise guest appearance at practice Friday and the second-team All-Pro also decided to hold court at the NovaCare Complex.

It was already known that Wentz tore his left ACL against the Los Angeles Rams back on Dec. 10 but the second-team All-Pro confirmed that his LCL was also damaged.

Wentz has already made significant progress, first ditching crutches for a cane and now relying on a large stability brace to get around. He viewed the open portion of an indoor practice session and chatted with special teams coordinator Dave Fipp.

Wentz stayed away from defining any timetables for when he might be cleared for action but he remains optimistic that he will be ready for Week 1 of the 2018 season.

"I truly believe I'll be ready for Week 1," the QB said.

Wentz, however, begged off any kind of timetable for the injury when asked about being ready for training camp. He did say the added LCL complication shouldn't affect the recovery time, though.

"I'm very confident in talking with trainers and everything that the rehab schedule doesn't change a whole lot," Wentz explained. "it's just something we need to be careful with."

Careful doesn't mean Wentz is contemplating changing his style of play, which some have described as reckless at times.

"Injuries aren't going to change me," Wentz said. "... I 100 percent believe I'll be back better than ever. Stronger than ever with no looking back."

The Eagles, of course, still have work to do this season as backup Nick Foles has managed to keep things afloat and pilot Philadelphia to its third Super Bowl appearance set for a week from Sunday in Minneapolis against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

"I'm trying to be involved in what I can," Wentz said. "Definitely not a coach but I still voice my opinion in small pieces. Nick's the guy. Nick's been voicing his opinion more than anybody and I'm just trying to help in any way I can."

As for Foles and his performance, Wentz has been impressed:

"He is just playing confident. He's getting the reps," Wentz said. "It's not easy [being the backup], not practicing. It's not easy to just step in there, not having a training camp or a preseason."

That was a reference to the tendonitis that limited Foles back in August but has since disappeared.

"This game is such a timing thing," Wentz said. "Just getting those extra reps, you can see the confidence [Foles] has. He's always been a playmaker. He's always been able to make plays and throw the ball well. You can see him coming into his own in the last couple weeks. It's unbelievable."

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen