Jalen Hurts injury: Eagles QB out against Dallas and Week 17 is now in question

The Philadelphia Eagles are on the cusp of clinching the NFC East and the top seed in the NFC, which would give them homefield advantage throughout the NFL playoffs.

But they face uncertainty regarding star quarterback Jalen Hurts, and his availability for Saturday’s huge game against the Dallas Cowboys. According to multiple reports, Hurts suffered a shoulder injury during Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bears. The injury is being described at this time as a “sprained shoulder.”

Saturday updates

Hurts will be out of the lineup on Saturday. Gardner Minshew will start. The next question is Week 17 against the New Orleans Saints. Hurts has what is being described as an SC, or “sternoclavicular” injury, which might require a conservative approach:

Thursday updates

On Thursday, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni told the media that he “does not expect” Hurts to play Saturday against the Cowboys. That would put Gardner Minshew in line to start in Dallas Saturday afternoon:

According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Hurts and his agent, Nicole Lynn, do not believe this is a “long-term” injury. But backup quarterback Gardner Minshew is in “line” to start on Saturday against Dallas if Hurts cannot go.

Jimmy Kempski, who covers the Eagles for both the Philly Voice and Bleeding Green Nation reported that Hurts underwent x-rays after the game against Chicago.

John Clark, who reports on the Eagles for NBC Philadelphia, reported on Monday that the x-rays were negative, and that an MRI confirmed that it was only a sprain. Furthermore, Clark reported that Hurts would be ready for the playoffs.

Hurts suffered the shoulder injury in the third quarter of Philadelphia’s win against the Chicago Bears in Week 15. Late in the quarter, Hurts kept the football, running to the right edge of the Eagles’ formation. The run went for a short gain, and Hurts crashed to the turf with Chicago’s Trevis Gipson on top of him.

As you can see from this clip of the play, Hurts is very slow to get to his feet, with multiple teammates surrounding him as he remains on the turf:

The Eagles can clinch the division, and the top seed in the NFC, with a win on Saturday. However, all they need is a win at some point in their next three games to clinch the division, and the top spot in the NFC. Their early-season win over the Minnesota Vikings gives them a tiebreaker advantage over Minnesota.

So they can afford to be patient with Hurts right now.

Wednesday updates

Hurts was officially listed as a “Did Not Participate” at Eagles’ practice Wednesday:

Tuesday updates

On Tuesday, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni met with the media and indicated there is a “chance” Hurts could play on Saturday. “I don’t put anything past Jalen Hurts, as far as his mental and physical toughness, so there’s a chance he could play this week. He is one of the toughest guys I know, and he heals fast — he’s a freak. His body is not like, pardon me, yours or mine.”

Hurts himself shared the same sentiment:

This will be updated as further information on Hurts’ condition becomes available.