It’s Official: Eagles’ Jalen Hurts Will Play vs.Giants
After missing two games — both losses — Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will return Sunday from a sprained throwing shoulder and face the Giants in a season-finale that, with an Eagles win, holds the promise of the NFC East, the conference’s top seed, a first-round bye in the playoffs and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
Hurts was injured when he was slammed to the turf during a victory over the Chicago Bears three weeks ago, when the Eagles were 13-1 and needed one more victory to lock up all of those playoff perks. But with Hurts on the sidelines and backup Gardner Minshew filling in, the Eagles lost to the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints.
That gives the Eagles one remaining shot to lock up the No. 1 seed — and they might get lucky: The Giants, already locked into the No. 6 seed, likely will rest and protect their top starters like quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley.
When he was injured, Hurts was an NFL MVP candidate, but the two games he missed likely ended his shot at winning. But his teammates desperately need him to rescue their unraveling season.
After Sunday’s shocking loss to the Saints — in which the Eagles were outplayed in every aspect, despite all that was at stake — Sirianni hinted that Hurts would play in Week 18.
“He was close this week,” Sirianni said. “Obviously, we’ll take it one day at a time. For me to say right now or today, ‘Yeah he’s playing’ or ‘He’s not playing,’ isn’t fair to anybody because so many things can happen in a week. We’re going to have to evaluate, see where he is. His health is the No. 1 priority. If he’s ready to go, he’ll play.
Jalen’s been playing really good football the entire year and he’s a leader of our team. It would be good to have him back because of the type of person and leader he is. If Jalen’s able to go, he’ll go.”
Chris Franklin:
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