Matt LaFleur Reveals The Packers' Expectation For Jalen Hurts

The Green Bay Packers are preparing to face Jalen Hurts this weekend.

Hurts missed the final two games of the regular season after sustaining a concussion in Week 16. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback returned to Wednesday's practice, a positive sign for his postseason availability if he clears the concussion protocol.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said he's game planning as if Hurts will suit up for their NFC Wild Card matchup.

"We're going to anticipate Jalen is going to play," LaFleur told reporters Wednesday. "If he can't, then we'll be ready for that as well."

With Hurts sidelined, Kenny Pickett cemented Philadelphia's NFC East title with a Week 17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles already clinched the No. 2 seed before Tanner McKee played last Sunday's game against the New York Giants.

On Wednesday, Hurts practiced for the first time since getting concussed on Dec. 22. However, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni isn't concerned about the long layover. 

"This is why you practice,” Sirianni said, per NBC Sports Philadelphia's Dave Zangaro. "This is why you got through the process of practicing and all the things that you do in practice to get on the same page to do everything there. We feel like we practice at a very high intensity level. This is why you go out there and do these things."

Hurts finished the regular season with a career-high 68.7 completion rate and 5.0 touchdown percentage. He surrendered just five interceptions and ran for 630 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Packers began their season by allowing 410 yards in a 34-29 loss to the Eagles in Brazil. Yet LaFleur's squad finished 11-5 with the league's sixth-ranked defense in yards and scoring.

Meanwhile, Green Bay has its own health issues under center. Jordan Love was limited in Wednesday's practice due to soreness in his right elbow. The quarterback said he's "hopeful" he'll play this Sunday.

The first-round matchup starts at 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX.