The Philadelphia Eagles are hoping for a longer playoff run than last season after clinching 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 still a big question to answer regarding one of the Eagles’ stars: Jalen Hurts, the team’s starting quarterback, remains in concussion protocol two weeks after suffering the injury during the team’s loss to the Washington Commanders as a visitor.
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts runs the ball against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium on Dec. 22, 2024. (Peter Casey-Image Images)
Head coach Nick Sirianni broke the news to reporters on Monday, leaving Hurts’ availability for the wild-card game up in the air. And obviously that’s not what you want to hear about your starting quarterback.
The Eagles will face the Packers, who hold the same seventh seed as last year, when they went to Dallas and beat the Cowboys in their own building in the wild card game, on Sunday at 4:30 pm in Lincoln. Financial Field.
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While the Eagles hope Hurts can clear concussion protocol before this weekend’s game, they will closely monitor his reserve status.
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 replaced Pickett against the Cowboys after suffering his injury, played in Week 18.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts tries to stretch to score on a goalie against the Ravens on Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
At first, many believed the Eagles were simply being cautious with Hurts after his concussion against the Commanders, as he did not prepare for Week 17 or 18. But now there is real concern, and his injury status throughout of the week will be very close. noticed.
Meanwhile, the Packers are dealing with their own injuries, as star 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’ victory against the Cowboys secured them that spot), they had already earned a playoff spot. But Watson’s injury is a blow as they head to Philadelphia.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love was also held out as a precaution, according to head coach Matt LaFleur, after injuring his elbow during the game against the Bears. He left the game in the first half.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts runs with the ball during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Hurts has accounted for 32 Eagles touchdowns this season, 18 through the air and 14 on the ground, while passing for 2,903 yards with a 68.7% completion rate in 15 games. He is 12-3 in that span, helping his team win the NFC East title this season.
