PHILADELPHIA – For those expecting any clarity about who the Eagles will start at quarterback for the season opener in four days, head coach Doug Pederson wasn't providing any.

Pederson said he refused to discuss his decision about whether he'll start Carson Wentz or Nick Foles against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night.

Pederson cited his reason as reports "putting words in my mouth this week. And therefore, I’m not going to discuss it."

When asked which reports, Pederson replied: "You saw the reports." He then said "next question" three times to follow up questions.

There was an NFL Network report Saturday afternoon, citing anonymous sources, that the Eagles plan to start Foles in the opener.

Wentz is still recovering from two torn knee ligaments suffered last December. Pederson said Sunday that Wentz has still not been cleared for contact. He also said Wentz conceivably could still be cleared for contact in the days leading up to the game.

"We got a lot of days left," Pederson said.

But Wentz's surgeon, Dr. James Bradley, told NBC Sports Philadelphia on Friday regarding Wentz's playing status, “It should be a cautious approach. What’s a few games over 12 to 15 years?”

Pederson said last week that he would make his decision on a starting quarterback Friday. He also said that then that he might not discuss it publicly until 90 minutes before the game on Thursday.

He said having a competitive advantage is part of that, too.

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"We’re trying to win a football game, you know?" he said. "And I don’t want to put my game plan out there for everyone to see and read it, and teams can scheme. It just doesn’t make a lot of sense, you know?"

Pederson did admit that the quarterback he decides upon will get practically all of the snaps with the first-team offense this week in practice, beginning Sunday. Those team drills are closed to the media.

Is three days of practice enough time?

After all, Wentz hasn't played in any of the four preseason games, and he has only returned to team 11-on-11 drills a little more than two weeks ago. Foles played in the second and third preseason games, totaling a little more than three quarters. He threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles during that time.

Other main Eagles players, especially on offense, missed either all or the majority of the preseason games. That includes wide receivers Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor and Mack Hollins, running backs Darren Sproles and Corey Clement, left tackle Jason Peters and defensive end Brandon Graham.

Lead running back Jay Ajayi has missed the last two weeks of practice, but Pederson said Ajayi is returning to practice Sunday.

Pederson was asked if he's concerned about rust going into the opener.

"They haven’t been on the field in games," Pederson said. "They’ve been in practice. There’s a difference. I’ve held them out of games, specifically. Practice is another thing. They’ve practiced all training camp."

Then he added: "I feel good with where we’re at as a football team, I really do. I’m excited about this opportunity Thursday night."

After all, he knows who his starting quarterback is going to be, and he seems just as content that no one outside the team knows.