The Philadelphia Eagles have been flying high this season to the tune of an NFL-best 13-1 record, and the chief reason has been the play of quarterback Jalen Hurts.
In just his third season, he looked to be on his way to becoming the first player ever to amass 4,000 passing yards and 800 rushing yards in a single season.
But Philly was dealt a blow when it found out that Hurts has a sprained shoulder and may have to miss Saturday’s showdown against the Dallas Cowboys.
#Eagles star QB Jalen Hurts’ status is in doubt for Saturday’s game against the #Cowboys because of a sprained throwing shoulder suffered in the third quarter Sunday, sources tell me, @RapSheet and @MikeGarafolo. The injury isn’t considered long term. pic.twitter.com/k3sMH8aiPo
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 19, 2022
Although his injury isn’t considered a long-term one, he could potentially miss some or all of the Eagles’ last three regular season games, which could put their chances of clinching the best record in the NFC in jeopardy.
The Jalen Hurts injury keeps the door slightly open on the possibility of the #49ers grabbing the No. 1 seed.
PHI still has DAL, NO, NYG remaining. If they lose out, they’ll be 13-4.
SF has WAS, LV, ARI. If they win out, they’ll be 13-4 with a better NFC record than PHI.
— Akash Anavarathan (@akashanav) December 19, 2022
How concerned should they be about the injury to their franchise player?
Hurts Means So Much To Philly
Much like how Lamar Jackson, who is also currently injured, accounts for a huge chunk of the Baltimore Ravens’ offense, Hurts is responsible for so much of what the Eagles do on that side of the football.
Luckily, unlike the Ravens, they have some other weapons.
Miles Sanders, their starting running back, has accumulated 1,110 yards and 11 touchdowns so far this season, and if Hurts misses time, he will likely get more touches.
Philly also has wide receivers A.J. Brown (1,201 yards and 10 touchdowns this year) and DeVonta Smith (901 yards and five touchdowns) to help shoulder the load.
One source is optimistic that if Hurts misses any time, he will return in a hurry.
Orthopedic source on #Eagles QB Jalen Hurts' injury: if it's a shoulder sprain, 10-14 days of rest would likely be recommended, but it's mostly a matter of pain tolerance. The risk of playing early is just prolonging full healing. Knowing Hurts, a one-game absence may be the max.
— Cody J. Benjamin (@CodyJBenjamin) December 19, 2022
If Hurts has to sit out, Gardner Minshew II will step in, and in his three prior seasons, he proved he could be an adequate backup quarterback.
Luckily, not only do the Eagles have a cushion in terms of their record, but after their game with Dallas on Christmas Day, they have two winnable contests left against the New Orleans Saints and the New York Giants.
Although the Giants have a solid 8-5-1 record, they have won just two of their last seven games.
NEXT: Jalen Hurts Made NFL History On Sunday