The Philadelphia Eagles have lost the last two games without starting quarterback and MVP candidate Jalen Hurts.
The Eagles need to win to lock in the top seed in the NFC and home-field advantage throughout, so Week 18 still means a lot to them.
Questions surfaced all last week regarding the availability of Hurts, but Gardner Minshew ended up with the start against the New Orleans Saints.
However, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport gave an encouraging update on Hurts ahead of the Week 18 tilt with the New York Giants.
From NFL Now: On the expected availability of #Eagles QB Jalen Hurts and on the torn ACL suffered by #Seahawks star Jordyn Brooks… pic.twitter.com/fOeuYuNYD5
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 2, 2023
“Jalen Hurts is expected to go in Week 18…Things are pointing in the right direction.”
Rapoport also mentions that Hurts would’ve played this past weekend if it was a playoff game, so there should be no doubt that Hurts suits up with the top seed on the line.
Hurts has been marvelous all season long, throwing for 3,472 yards with 22 scores and adding another 747 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.
Minshew played well in a Christmas Eve loss to the Dallas Cowboys, throwing for 355 yards and two scores.
In Week 17 against the Saints, the entire Eagles team took a step back and lost 20-10 at home.
In that game, Minshew went just 18-of-32 for 274 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a game Philadelphia should have won.
With the final week of the regular season coming this weekend, it will be more important than ever before to get Hurts going again and lock in the top spot in the NFC.
As of now, Hurts should be ready to go by Sunday.
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