Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson confirmed on Tuesday that Nick Foles would get the start on Thursday night against the Atlanta Falcons but reiterated that Carson Wentz is close to a return. Wentz still hasn't been fully cleared for contact yet, so Pederson didn't have much a choice handing the keys to Foles for Week 1.

The goal all along was for Wentz to be ready for the start of the season after his torn ACL and although they weren't quite able to reach that goal, Pederson thinks that his return will come sooner rather than later.

“Close,” Pederson said, via Eliot Shorr-Parks of WIP. “I’m no doctor, no expert. Still leaving it up to the medical team. He’s had some great workouts here in the last few days. We’ll see.”

Pederson also said that Wentz really wants to be back on the field but both sides know that the return from injury needs to be a long-term decision and not made based on one week.

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Pederson said he wouldn't get into the specifics of why exactly he made this decision but both quarterbacks are on board.

“I’m not going to get into all the whys, therefores, what went into this, what went into that. I made the decision,” Pederson said. “I’ve been in conversation with both Carson and Nick this entire time. Dating all the way back to the spring. I made the decision yesterday, both guys have embraced it. Now we are focused and getting ready for Thursday night.”