Skip to content
Eagles
Link copied to clipboard

Source: Foles' broken collarbone healing normally

Nick Foles is still not allowed to have contact, but is said to be allowed to step up his strengthening exercises.

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt pressures Eagles quarterback Nick Foles. (Jason Fochtman/The Courier/AP)
Texans defensive end J.J. Watt pressures Eagles quarterback Nick Foles. (Jason Fochtman/The Courier/AP)Read more

NICK FOLES went shopping for some good medical news on Black Friday, and he got it.

Foles' 4-week followup CT scan showed the quarterback's left collarbone is healing normally, a source close to the situation said. The source said Foles can't take a hit yet, but he can step up strengthening exercises, with an eye toward full clearance 6 to 8 weeks from the Nov. 2 break. The source stressed that more healing must take place before Foles is cleared to take a hit.

Of course, Mark Sanchez' error-free performance against Dallas made it look unlikely, for now, that the starting job will be available when Foles returns, though, in an ideal world, before deciding on a quarterback for 2015, the Eagles would be able to get a look at Foles behind this offensive line, with the once-again powerful run game that helped Foles perform so well in 2013.

At Dallas, Sanchez completed 20 of 29 passes for 217 yards, with a nice touchdown throw on the run to Jordan Matthews. He finished with a 102.2 passer rating. It was only the third time this season an Eagles starter hasn't thrown an interception, and the third complete-game effort with a passer rating over 100. The Eagles won the turnover battle, 3-1, losing only a LeSean McCoy fumble. The Birds ran for a season-high 256 yards on 45 carries.

After four Sanchez starts, it would seem he is more comfortable than Foles at pushing the pace to the frenzied level Chip Kelly prefers. He also seems to reset in the pocket more easily, and he showed Thursday that he can do well enough on read-option plays to keep a defense honest, with 28 yards and a rushing TD.

Foles would seem to have a stronger arm, though, and would seem to be more accurate with the deep ball. His decision-making last season was flawless. It hasn't been this season, but much of Foles' time before the injury was spent behind makeshift blocking. Sanchez not only benefited from the run game Thursday, he faced very little pass rush pressure.

Blog: ph.ly/Eagletarian