As we head into Week 17’s Sunday slate, NFL fans are likely busy analyzing every single playoff scenario possible to ensure their team still has a chance at making the dance. One team that doesn’t need to worry anymore is the Philadelphia Eagles.
However, with the top seed in the NFC still not wrapped up, there are questions regarding whether or not quarterback Jalen Hurts is playing this week. Will his shoulder injury cause him to miss more time, or will he return to lock up the NFC ahead of the last week of the season?
UPDATE: Hurts is officially inactive for the Eagles’ game against the Saints.
Is Jalen Hurts Playing Today?
Eagles QB and former front runner for the NFL MVP award Jalen Hurts missed last week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys after suffering a right shoulder sprain. The injury originally took place during the team’s Week 15 win against the Chicago Bears. After taking a big hit during the second half, Hurts showed little signs of being hurt. He continued to make impressive throws downfield, but it was later revealed that he had been playing through the pain.
After missing practice for most of the week, he was ultimately ruled out for the NFC East showdown. Hurts returned to practice in a limited fashion this week, but his availability for the team’s game against the New Orleans Saints continues to be questionable.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Hurts is doubtful to play this week even though he has been pushing hard to do so. Hurts has apparently made impressive strides during practice, but the team will need to keep his long-term health and safety in mind for this week.
MORE: NFL Playoff Clinching Scenarios for Week 17
It is an unfortunate situation for the Eagles as they currently sit on a very narrow lead for first place in the NFC playoff standings, with the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys not far behind. There is even a world that exists where the Eagles could lose the NFC East crown if they were to drop their next two games.
Before his injury, Hurts had been playing at an MVP level for most of the season. He has 3,472 passing yards this season, to go with 22 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Add that to 747 yards on the ground (third among QBs) and 13 rushing scores (tied for second in the NFL).
If Hurts does not play this week, backup Gardner Minshew will start his second straight game for the Eagles. Minshew stepped in nicely last week on the road, although it wasn’t enough to defeat a skilled Cowboys offense. He completed 24 of 40 passes for 355 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in the 40-34 loss to Dallas.
This week, he would be facing another tough test against the Saints, who have now won back-to-back games for the first time this season. They also have the league’s ninth-best defense, allowing an average of only 322.4 yards per game.
Behind Minshew on the Eagles QB depth chart would be Ian Book. The 24-year-old QB was actually drafted by the Saints in the 2021 NFL Draft and could be called upon in a worst-case scenario for Philadelphia.
