Many Philadelphia Eagles fans have wondered how the team would look with backup quarterback Mark Sanchez under center instead of Nick Foles. They will find out for at least the next month, although Monday's test results could have been much worse.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Foles is out six to eight weeks after suffering a broken collarbone during Sunday's win over the Houston Texans. An MRI revealed that no surgery was necessary, according to a source informed of his test results.
It was a brutal Week 9 for Philadelphia before they headed for their bye week. The Eagles also lost middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans to a season-ending Achilles tear.
Starting guard Todd Herremans left the game with an ankle injury. Ryans' loss will be felt all season, but Foles' absence will be fascinating to monitor.
At times, it looks like Eagles coach Chip Kelly has created a quarterback-proof offense. Foles has not played particularly well this year, missing open throws, taking too long to deliver the ball, throwing nine interceptions and fumbling four times. Yet the Eagles rank in the top four of NFL offenses in yards and points.
Sanchez looked terrific in the preseason, and his numbers against Houston in relief during Sunday's win was typical of many of Foles' days this season. Sanchez piloted an offense that hit on some big plays, but he was also picked off twice. Kelly said Monday he believes Sanchez is a "hell of a quarterback."
At 6-2, the Eagles are in good shape to make a playoff appearance. If Sanchez plays well over the next six to eight weeks, he could wind up keeping the job over Foles and starting postseason games for the third time in his career. Fortunes change fast in the NFL, and Sanchez knows that more than anyone.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast recaps every Sunday game from an action-packed Week 9. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
