Wentz Returns to Eagles

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - You didn't really think a torn ACL was going to keep Carson Wentz away from the NovaCare Complex, did you?

Less than a week after undergoing surgery to repair his left knee, Wentz was back in South Philadelphia on Tuesday in an effort to stay engaged and help his replacement, Nick Foles, as well as now backup Nate Sudfeld.

Tuesday marked the first time Wentz was back grinding with his friends and quarterback coach John DeFilippo since he went down in Los Angeles back on Dec. 10.

Offensive coordinator Frank Reich confirmed Wentz was back at his weekly press conference and explained the change in the dynamic as the second-year superstar now takes a back seat to his more experienced backup, who threw for four touchdowns in a win over the New York Giants on Sunday.

"Obviously, first and foremost, it's about [Wentz's] rehab," Reich said. "But that's a tight-knit room. In these rooms, players are close. The three of those guys are really close. First and foremost, take care of rehab. Second, support Nick (Foles) and Nate (Sudfeld)."

While Wentz has spectacular physical gifts perhaps the thing that has set him apart to date has been his work ethic. That was first highlighted when he was FaceTiming with Foles and Sudfeld shortly after his surgery and is now trying to help so soon after the procedure.

The support role is a new one for Wentz this season and few doubt there will be any waves from what is a team-first guy.

"He knows that Nick's the guy and that's the way it has to be," Reich said. "The great thing is that it's so comfortable in there, such a good dynamic. He's not gonna ever be a wallflower. He's gonna talk and we're gonna laugh and he's going to give a couple ideas. But it's a really good dynamic."

Don't expect to see Wentz on the sideline anytime soon due to mobility issues but coach Doug Pederson has made it a priority to keep injured players involved.

Everyone from Jason Peters to Jordan Hicks to Chris Maragos to Darren Sproles and now Wentz has been kept in the loop in an effort to try to help the Eagles finish what Pederson has called "something special."

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