Musa
By Lior Lampert | Jan 6, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles are facing a tense situation ahead of their Super Wild Card Weekend matchup against the Green Bay Packers, as star quarterback Jalen Hurts remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Hurts, who suffered a concussion during the Eagles’ Week 16 loss to the Washington Commanders, has been sidelined ever since, and his status for the upcoming playoff game is now in serious question.
During a press conference on Monday, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed that Hurts has not yet been cleared to return to action, stating there was “no new information” regarding his recovery. Hurts’ return to participation has been slower than expected, raising concerns that he may not be ready in time for Saturday’s crucial postseason contest.
This marks Hurts’ first documented concussion, and while the average recovery time for such injuries is typically around nine days, Hurts has now been out since December 22. On a positive note, the two-time Pro Bowler was seen at the team’s walkthrough on Sunday, signaling some progress, though the situation remains uncertain.
The Eagles won’t hit the practice field again until Wednesday, giving Hurts a few more days to potentially clear concussion protocol and rejoin his teammates. If he doesn’t participate in practice by then, fans and the team alike may begin to worry about his availability for the Green Bay showdown.
While Hurts’ absence appeared to be a precautionary measure in the final week of the regular season, as the Eagles had already secured the NFC’s No. 2 seed, the lack of clarity surrounding his condition now casts a shadow over their playoff preparations. Should Hurts be unavailable for the first-round matchup against the Packers, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett would likely step in. Pickett, who has served as Hurts’ primary backup all season, has shown flashes of promise in his limited opportunities but lacks the dual-threat ability Hurts brings to the offense, particularly in the running game.
As the Eagles wait for an update, the team is in a “wait-and-see” mode. If Hurts is unable to play, the Eagles will need to quickly adjust their offensive strategy to account for the change at quarterback. With Hurts being integral to their high-powered aerial and ground attacks, Philadelphia will face a tough challenge in the postseason without their franchise leader under center.
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