The Eagles listed Jalen Hurts as “doubtful” for Sunday’s game against the Saints, a game in which a victory could clinch the NFC East and home-field for the playoffs.
- “We’re still sorting through that,” coach Nick Sirianni said before Friday’s injury report was released. “Obviously Jalen had a good practice yesterday and went out and looked like he did some things really well.
- “So still going to sort through all those things. Haven’t decided anything yet. We have a couple days. Still got time.”
Hurts has a SC joint sprain in his right shoulder, which he injured on Dec. 18 against the Bears. Hurts practiced Thursday for the first time since the injury, reportedly throwing the ball well. “Doubtful” means a player has a 25 percent chance of playing.
- “Jalen was out there and did some good things at practice,” Sirianni said. “I just didn’t feel like it [throwing motion] was affected.
- “The velocity of the ball was good, the accuracy was good, that he felt good. So those were the main things, and that’s what you want to see.”
MINSHEW AGAIN?
If Hurts does not play, Gardner Minshew will start his second consecutive game. Minshew played well in the Eagles’ 40-34 loss at Dallas on Christmas Eve.
- “Everything matters with how he’s feeling and what we feel like the timetable is and what the doctors are saying,” Sirianni said. “Everything matters. Everything is in play.
- “Obviously the first and foremost thing that’s most important for Jalen is that his health is always taken into consideration first and if it’s safe for him to be out there.
- “Then from there, then you do what’s best for the team, but you first do what’s best for the individual.”
Earlier this week, Sirianni described Hurts as the toughest player he’s ever been around. Most injured players want to play and Hurts is no exception.
- “That’s why it can’t just be him [making the decision to return],” Sirianni said. “He’s going to want to be out there no matter what, so he’s going to say, in my opinion, he’s going to say what he needs to say to play.
- “But that’s why it’s a group effort to figure it out, right? Again, Jalen’s health is the first thing you think of.
- “We all have to be responsible for that. Like Jalen, and we urge him to be as truthful as he possibly can in that scenario.
- “[We’ll say] ‘Hey, I know you’re feeling good, just be truthful in this scenario.’ But then also [take into consideration] what the doctors are feeling, what they’re seeing, all those different things.
- “So that’s why it’s not just one guy’s decision. If it was just Jalen’s decision on this, of course he would go out and play. He would go out and play with way worse things maybe just because we know how tough is.”
SUNDAY DECISION?
Sirianni said the team could wait until Sunday before deciding whether to play Hurts.
- “I think you can take it up to Game Day,” Sirianni said. “Again, the body is still healing. He’s still going through these things, so two days from now he’s going to be healthier than what he is today.
- “Gardner has been in this position where he has to do everything he has to do to prepare, on limited reps, on a lot of reps, all those different things, and that’s why Gardner is a great pro.
- “We have a lot of confidence in him that he’s going to be ready no matter what the scenario is.”
Fans want to win the game and they know Hurts gives the Eagles the best chance to do so. The only factor that should matter is Hurts’ health. Nothing else.