PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles rested CarsonWentz only to lose his backup.
Nate Sudfeld broke his left wrist on a late hit in thesecond quarter of Philadelphia’s 27-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Thursdaynight. Sudfeld is scheduled for surgery Friday morning, but Eagles coach DougPederson said the injury is not season ending and the team doesn’t plan to addanother quarterback.
“After surgery, I’ll have a better update,”Pederson. “Right now we’re comfortable with (backups) we have.”
Tennessee’s Ryan Tannehill tossed a pair of touchdown passesin his first game with his new team in his role as Marcus Mariota’s backup, andthird-string quarterback Logan Woodside also threw two TD passes.
“It was a lot of fun to compete against anotherteam,” Tannehill said. “We’ve been working hard since the spring andto have an opportunity to play for real was a lot of fun.”
Sudfeld fell backward after a personal foul by Isaiah Mackand immediately went to the sideline. He was wearing an air cast on the cartride to the locker room.
Sudfeld threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Marken Michel andfinished 10 of 18 for 177 yards. He’s replacing Nick Foles, the 2018 Super BowlMVP who signed a four-year, $88 million contract with Jacksonville in freeagency.
Cody Kessler, 2-10 as a starter in three seasons with theBrowns and Jaguars, replaced Sudfeld and took a late hit from Nigel Harris onhis first play. He was 3 of 6 for 12 yards. Rookie Clayton Thorson was 2 of 9and threw an interception.
“I’ve known Nate for a while so it’s tough to see that,but it’s part of it,” Kessler said. “I’m going to be ready to go andstep in there.”
Mariota played one series, completing 4 of 8 for 24yards. Tannehill was 12 of 16 for 130yards. Woodside was 15 of 20 for 138 yards.
“It was awesome to get out there,” Woodside said.“I felt comfortable, a little nerves at first and settled down afterthat.”
Tannehill is adjusting to a backup role for the first timein his eight-year career. He started every game he was healthy to play — atotal of 88 — with the Dolphins and didn’t miss a game from 2012-15.
Tannehill had a 1-yard TD pass to MyCole Pruitt and a23-yarder to Anthony Firkser. Woodsidehit Cody Hollister on a 25-yard score and Tanner McEvoy on a 17-yard scoringstrike.
“Our quarterback room is pretty special,” Mariotasaid. “Logan and Ryan both have been a tremendous support and I think forus it’s just competition. I like the atmosphere, I like the culture of thequarterback room.”
THE ROOKIES
Eagles first-round pick Andre Dillard started at left tacklewith Jason Peters resting along with others. Running back Miles Sanders, thesecond-round pick, carried only three times for 3 yards.
“It was crazy,” Sanders said. “It’severything I’ve been dreaming about. With a place like this, the fan base iscrazy. Coming from Penn State, I felt that same vibe.”
Tennessee’s first two draft picks didn’t play.
CLOSE-UP VIEW
Titans new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith got his firstchance to call plays in a game at any level. He was planning to sit upstairs inthe coach’s box but ended up on the sideline because of issues with headsets.Smith was promoted from tight ends coach to coordinator when Matt LaFleur tookthe head coaching job with Green Bay.
JV SQUAD
Running back Jordan Howard and defensive tackle MalikJackson were the only projected starters to play for the Eagles along withDallas Goedert, who will see plenty of action as the second tight end.
BOOTED
Eagles kicker Jake Elliott nailed a 53-yard field goal buthit the right upright on a 40-yarder on the final play of the first half.
FAMILY MATTERS
Titans running back Dalyn Dawkins had 35 yards rushing on 10carries. He’s the nephew of Eagles legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame safetyBrian Dawkins.
INJURIES
Titans: LB Riley Bullough (elbow).
Eagles: DT Hassan Ridgeway (concussion evaluation), DEDaeshon Hall (shoulder) and WR Charles Johnson (foot).
NEXT UP
Titans: host New England on August 17.
Eagles: at Jacksonville next Thursday night.
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