Nick Foles to Start vs. Bears After Tests Reportedly Confirm Bruised Ribs

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles will start on Sunday in the NFC Wild Card Game against the Chicago Bears after tests reportedly confirmed that he avoided any broken bones.

Eagles head coach Doug Pederson confirmed to reporters Monday that Foles would play after Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported Foles only suffered bruised ribs during Philadelphia's 24-0 Week 17 victory over Washington that saw the team clinch a playoff spot.

Third-stringer Nate Sudfeld entered the Washington game after Foles exited. Starter Carson Wentz is still out with a stress fracture in his back.

The Eagles can thank Foles for leading them to the playoffs after Wentz's injury, as he helped them to three straight wins to end the season.

He threw for a combined 962 passing yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions against the Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans and Washington. The effort built on Foles' legendary status with the franchise after he won Super Bowl MVP honors while leading the Eagles to their first championship of the Super Bowl era in a 41-33 win over the New England Patriots last year.

The Bears played a key role in the Eagles' path to the postseason, beating the Minnesota Vikings on the road in Week 17 to open the door for Philadelphia to qualify with a win.

The Eagles will need Foles back and healthy to overcome Khalil Mack and the rest of the stout Bears defense at Soldier Field. Chicago finished the 2018 campaign first in the league in points allowed (17.7), third in yards allowed (4,795) and third in sacks (50).