Jalen Hurts Injury Update: Eagles Playoff Position In Jeopardy

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol after his head slammed into the ground during a Frankie Luvu tackle in the Week 16 game against the Washington Commanders.

Hurts will have to pass the league’s five-stage concussion evaluation to get a green light for the Eagles’ upcoming matchup against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

The uncertainty for the Eagles does not end with Hurts: his backup, Kenny Pickett, is also questionable for Week 17 after suffering a rib injury in last week’s loss to the Commanders.

Third-string quarterback Tanner McKee may have to start against the Cowboys on Sunday.

What’s at Stake

The 12-3 Eagles have secured a playoff spot, but much is at stake in the final two weeks of the regular season: both the NFC and NFC East titles, as well as the first-round bye that comes with winning the conference.

The Eagles now trail the NFC leaders Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, both 13-2. The 10-5 Commanders still have hopes of tying the Eagles at the top of the NFC East.

But there’s good news for the Eagles: they close out the season on January 5 against the New York Giants — an almost guaranteed victory, even without Hurts.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said in a press conference on Monday that he has “a lot of confidence” in Tanner, who “has done a good job in scout team and developmental periods.” But, of course, he’s going to emphasize the positive.

Sirriani didn’t provide any updates on Hurts — simply stating that he would “lean on the doctors to let us know on a daily basis where he is.”

The bottom line is that it’s unlikely that the Eagles will have their two-time Pro Bowler quarterback starting on Sunday. And there’s a decent possibility a third-string QB will be taking the snaps.

The burden will be on superstar running back Saquon Barkley, who will carry the team in what is likely to be an All-Pro season. The problem for Barkley is that he will be more exposed without the dual-threat Hurts on the field.

Barkley had a phenomenal first quarter on Sunday, rushing for 109 yards and two touchdowns. He only added 41 more yards over the next three quarters, after Hurts’ departure.