Eagles star Jalen Hurts’ playoff availability is up in the air as he remains in the concussion protocol
The Philadelphia Eagles are hoping for a longer playoff streak than last season after securing the No. 2 seed in the NFC and will host the No. 7 Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round this weekend.
However, there is one more big question that needs to be answered about one of the Eagles’ stars: Jalen Hurtsthe team’s starting quarterback, remains in the concussion protocol two weeks after suffering the injury during the team’s road loss to the Washington Commanders.
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts runs with the ball against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium on Dec. 22, 2024. (Peter Casey-Imagn Images)
Head coach Nick Sirianni broke the news to reporters on Monday, which leaves Hurts’ availability for the wild-card game uncertain. And that’s obviously not what you want to hear about your starting quarterback.
The Eagles will face the Packers, who own the same No. 7 seed as last year, when they went to Dallas and beat the Cowboys in their building in the wild-card game, Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field.
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While the Eagles hope Hurts can go through concussion protocol before this weekend’s game, they will take a close look at his backup situation.
Kenny Pickett suffered a rib injury that kept him out of the team’s Week 18 game against the New York Giants. Tanner McKee, who took over for Pickett against the Cowboys after an injury, played in Week 18.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts tries to stretch to make a pass against the Ravens, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Initially, many believed the Eagles were simply being cautious with Hurts after his concussion against the Commanders, since he wasn’t ready for Weeks 17 or 18. But there are real concerns now, and his injury status will be very closely watched during the week.
Meanwhile, the Packers are dealing with injuries of their own as leading receiver Christian Watson is expected to miss the rest of the year after suffering a torn ACL in Week 18 against the Chicago Bears. While the Packers were fighting for the No. 6 seed—the Commanders’ win against the Cowboys secured that spot—they had already earned a playoff spot. But Watson’s injury is a tough break as they head to Philadelphia.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love is also being held out as a precaution after injuring his elbow during the game against the Bears, according to head coach Matt LaFleur. He left the game in the first half.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts runs with the ball during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derick Hamilton)
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Hurts has accounted for 32 Eagles touchdowns this season, 18 through the air and 14 on the ground, while passing for 2,903 yards at a 68.7% completion rate through 15 games. He went 12-3 in that span, helping his team win the NFC East title this season.
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