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Mike Groh says Eagles know who’s starting at QB, but Doug Pederson will announce it

If the decision has already been made, that would seem to indicate Nick Foles will again lead the team.

Eagles # 65 Lane Johnson is able to hold off Atlanta's # 44 Vic Beasley Jr. just long enough to allow Eagles quarterback Nick Foles to pass the ball during the second half of the Atlanta Falcons at Phila. Eagles NFL game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. on September 6, 2018, ELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer
Eagles # 65 Lane Johnson is able to hold off Atlanta's # 44 Vic Beasley Jr. just long enough to allow Eagles quarterback Nick Foles to pass the ball during the second half of the Atlanta Falcons at Phila. Eagles NFL game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. on September 6, 2018, ELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff PhotographerRead moreElizabeth Robertson

Eagles offensive coordinator Mike Groh acknowledged Tuesday that as he begins game-planning for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, he and the coaching staff know who will start at quarterback for the Eagles. But Groh said Eagles coach Doug Pederson, who is scheduled to speak to reporters Wednesday, will make the announcement.

It seems likely that if the coaches already know, then the QB again will be Nick Foles, since Groh was speaking only five days after the season opener. Carson Wentz, recovering from Dec. 13 knee surgery, wasn't cleared for contact last week. It would be surprising, this far along in his rehab, for five extra days to make such a huge difference. A medical source has indicated that given Wentz's ACL and LCL repairs, the most likely time frame for his return would be Week 3 to Week 6, assuming all goes well.

The Eagles will host former offensive coordinator Frank Reich and his Indianapolis Colts in Week 3. They will play at Tennessee in Week 4, host the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5, and travel to North Jersey to play the Giants in Week 6.

"I think we feel pretty confident. Coach will make that announcement, I guess maybe in the next day or so, but, yeah, we're already onto the game plan and moving forward with that at this time in the week," Groh said.

Foles, the Super Bowl MVP, didn't seem to have great velocity on his throws in the season-opening victory over Atlanta, and the timing between Foles and receivers was off.  He completed 19 of 34 passes for just 117 yards and compiled a 50.7 passer rating.

"Obviously, we want to improve, and I think we will," Groh said. "We've got veteran guys here that know the expectation level. We need to improve our execution. … I'm confident we'll get back to work here and we'll get on the grass [Wednesday] and start that process."

Foles' longest completion was 18 yards to tight end Zach Ertz.

"We had some chances down the field, and we didn't capitalize on those chances," Groh said. "Atlanta's got a lot of talent over there — they've got excellent defensive backs. They made some plays on the football, too, which kept the production down. We know that we've got to create more explosive plays and push the ball down the field."