Philadelphia @ Tennessee preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 23, 2014 ) Tennessee 24, Philadelphia 43

After months of questions surrounding the health of Carson Wentz, the Philadelphia Eagles will enter Sunday's road game against a Tennessee Titans team that is saddled with queries surrounding Marcus Mariota. Sure, Mariota has been confirmed to start the contest, but how limited the 24-year-old will be as he deals with an injured right hand remains to be seen.

"Just taking it one day at a time. ... I hope it continues to get better, and yeah, we'll see," said Mariota, who returned from a one-game absence to complete 12 passes for 100 yards while rushing for 51 more in Tennessee's 9-6 triumph over Jacksonville last week. Fellow former Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry added 57 more on the ground in that contest, but an ailing back has him limited in practice this week heading into a tilt with the NFL's top-ranked rush defense (61.7 yards per game). Wentz didn't appear worse for wear in his first game since sustaining an ACL and LCL tear in December, completing 25 of 37 passes for 255 yards in the Eagles' 20-16 win over Indianapolis on Sunday. "It felt good to finally be out there," Wentz said. "It was kind of a long time coming, obviously. A lot of excitement, a lot of emotions."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Eagles -3.5. O/U: 41

ABOUT THE EAGLES (2-1): Philadelphia's ailing backfield likely will receive a jolt with the return of Jay Ajayi, who told reporters on Thursday that he plans to play despite having a small fracture in his back. "You just have to roll with it until it heals on its own. You just have to protect it," said the 25-year-old Ajayi, who shared the league lead with three rushing touchdowns after two weeks before joining Darren Sproles (hamstring) on the sideline against the Colts. Alshon Jeffery was medically cleared for contact after missing the three previous contests following offseason rotator cuff surgery, but missed practice on Thursday with an illness. Zach Ertz leads the team in receptions (21) and receiving yards (215), although fellow tight end Dallas Goedert fared well in both categories (seven, 73) last week in addition to reeling in his first career touchdown reception.

ABOUT THE TITANS (2-1): Tennessee general manager Jon Robinson on Thursday granted the request for release of Rishard Matthews, who reportedly felt he wasn't adequately showcased in the team's offense this season. Matthews had 118 catches for 1,740 yards and 13 touchdowns over the last two seasons for the Titans, who have a young group of wideouts. "Guys are going to have to continue to make plays whether it's Taywan (Taylor), or Corey (Davis) or Darius (Jennings) or Tajae (Sharpe). Those guys are going to have to step up," Robinson said. Davis, who was the fifth overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, leads the team in receptions (13) and receiving yards (151).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Philadelphia DT Fletcher Cox has recorded a sack in each of the three games this season.

2. Tennessee RB Dion Lewis, who played with the Eagles from 2011-12, has rushed for just 68 yards on 23 carries over the last two games after amassing 75 on 16 totes in the season opener.

3. Philadelphia's minus-3 turnover ratio is tied for second-worst in the NFL.

PREDICTION: Titans 24, Eagles 20