Carson Wentz hopes to 'be ready to go' in Eagles' final preseason game

PHILADELPHIA -- Carson Wentz said Sunday night that he still hopes to play in the Philadelphia Eagles'final preseason game on Sept. 1, despite a rib injury sustained in Thursday's preseason opener.

"I really hope so," Wentz said after the Eagles' open practice at Lincoln Financial Field. "Heck, I'd love to play tomorrow. That's how I am. We'll have to see what the doctors say."

Wentz said he could begin practicing as soon as he can tolerate the pain. Team doctors will determine when it is safe for Wentz to participate in live action.

"I'll have to be cleared for game situations and live contact," Wentz said. "We just know contact is limited for a while. The goal is hopefully in preseason I'll be ready to go, but you never know with these things. We'll have to see."

Wentz, the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NFL draft, never had a rib injury before Thursday night, whenTampa Baylinebacker Micah Awe planted his helmet in Wentz's ribcage.

Two days later, Wentz dressed for practice. He warmed up and realized he couldn't go.

"This is the first time I've ever had a rib injury," Wentz said. "It felt weird. It was sore, but I wasn't sure how to react to it. And obviously we found out the news [Saturday afternoon]. It hurts pretty good. I actually came out [Saturday] and tried to practice.

"I didn't realize how bad it hurt. I went and got the X-rays and the CT scan. That revealed the cracked ribs. It hurts, pretty much everything I do. But it will be all right."

On Sunday night, Wentz wore his red No. 11 practice jersey and a baseball cap while the Eagles practiced. Wentz said he was getting "mental reps. That's part of being a backup quarterback. You have to get the mental reps whether you're hurt or on the field. So that's definitely what I'm going to do."