PHILADELPHIA -- One of Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz's best attributes is his ability to extend plays with his legs, something that head coach Doug Pederson says could become a bigger part of the team's game-plan in the not-so-distant future.

"Without giving away the game-plan?" Pederson joked Wednesday at the NovaCare Complex when asked if he is reluctant to call more designed running plays for Wentz at this point. "No. I'm not. Now, it's our fourth game of the season. Obviously, as a staff we have to be very smart about how we handle that aspect of the game. Probably the deeper you go into your regular season and if you are in a position to make the postseason, you might increase that a little bit."

Pederson's comments echo those made by offensive coordinator Frank Reich prior to Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which belies this coaching staff's commitment to finding a way to tap into Wentz's mobility as the season goes along and the No. 2 overall pick not only gets more comfortable in this offense but better at avoiding contact.

"I think there has been a little bit of thought into not putting him into that position too much, too early," Reich explained. "I would envision as the season goes on that that is brought more and more into it.

"But, we're just starting out and we want to make sure he gets the message, which he needs to prove that he's gotten the message that we can give him that responsibility and he can protect himself. And, he was coming off an injury. We knew he was fine, but as a coach there was always that thing in the back of your mind saying 'hey, let's just play it safe for a week or two' until we know for sure."

Beyond just running with the football, Wentz's mobility has already paid dividends for the Eagles offense, including his ability to not only extend a play but make a play on the run such as a beautiful scrambling touchdown pass to running back Darren Sproles against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pederson says that he intends to follow the model he and Andy Reid used with Alex Smith's designed runs in Kansas City with Wentz.

"One of the things, a little bit, that defenses sometimes forget is the quarterback's ability to run," Pederson says. "I think that was an advantage to us in Kansas City with Alex [Smith] and his ability to run the football. As we got deeper into the season, we dialed up a few more of those for him. It will be the same type of formula for Carson; obviously you want to get him through the full 16-game season and the deeper you go, you increase it a little bit more."

Matt Lombardo may be reached at MDLombardo@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardo975. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.