The Philadelphia Eagles enter Week 18 of the NFL regular season, having already secured the NFC East Title and the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.
With their seeding already locked up, the team has opted to rest multiple starters, such as running back Saquon Barkley, linebacker Zack Baun and offensive lineman Lane Johnson, who all appear as "rest" on the injury report.
However, there is some concerning news from it, too, as quarterback Jalen Hurts is already ruled out with a concussion he suffered against the Washington Commanders in Week 16 and missed last week for and a left finger injury.
Because of that concussion backup Kenny Pickett started Week 17 but had to leave the game in the third quarter because of a rib injury, which still seems to bother him, as he's now listed as questionable against the Giants.
Jalen Hurts is out Sunday, Kenny Pickett questionable. pic.twitter.com/hUtKclzcOO
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 3, 2025
This could now mean that third-string quarterback Tanner McKee could start Week 18, whose only other playing time this season came last week when Pickett came out.
In that game, McKee completed three-of-four passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns.
The most worrying part of all this is that Hurts has still not cleared the five-phase concussion protocol despite the injury occurring 12 days ago.
On Friday, head coach Nick Sirianni was asked about Hurt's progress and his answer was very simple, yet vague.
"He's progressing through the protocol," Sirianni said. "I can't say much more on when guys are in the protocol, except for that."
This has raised doubts about whether he will be healthy enough to play in the team's Wild Card Round.
However, that will be clearer when next week's injury report comes out, as Hurts, along with the other starters mentioned earlier, likely would have sat this game out no matter what, but the injury designation, instead of just "rest," raises questions.
