Eagles' Wentz likely to be inactive to begin season

The second overall pick in the NFL draft probably won't take his first snap as a pro, or even wear a jersey on game day, for a while.

Despite the Philadelphia Eagles' blockbuster trade up to select North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz at No. 2, head coach Doug Pederson said he expects the rookie to initially be inactive on game day.

"Typically, the third quarterback is down," Pederson said, according to Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com. "It's hard right now to look down the road, but if we had to play this week, Carson would be down. He'd be the third quarterback. He'd be deactivated. That's probably the direction we're heading, I would think is going that route. Obviously barring injury and, as you know, how this game is, but typically the third quarterback, whoever that is, is down on game day."

The Eagles are expected to start Sam Bradford at quarterback and back him up with Chase Daniel, both of whom they gave big-money deals to in free agency before drafting Wentz.

Considering the assets the Eagles surrendered to acquire Wentz, the rookie will eventually have to get a crack at starting. But it's clear the Eagles' preference is to groom their rookie slowly and away from live fire.