Philadelphia Eagles fans had a bit of a scare this week when Jalen Hurts landed on the injury report ahead of Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the Washington Commanders. The star quarterback was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice due to a knee issue, sparking concerns about his availability for the high-stakes matchup. Adding to the tension, wide receiver A.J. Brown and offensive lineman Lane Johnson were also listed, though their absences were chalked up to precautionary reasons.
Fortunately, Hurts quickly addressed the situation after practice, reassuring fans that he’s still on track to play. “It’s just been progressing,” Hurts told reporters about his knee. “Taking it a day at a time. I was able to participate today and be involved in stuff, so just taking it a day at a time.” His calm demeanor offered a much-needed sigh of relief for Eagles faithful.
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The injury stems from last weekend’s divisional-round victory over the Los Angeles Rams, where Hurts got tangled up with defensive back Jaylen McCollough during one of seven sacks. Despite briefly heading to the medical tent, Hurts returned to finish the game, throwing for 128 yards on 15 of 20 passes and rushing for 70 yards with a touchdown. Post-game, Hurts brushed off the incident, telling NBC’s Melissa Stark, “I finished the game.”
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However, when asked on Wednesday whether his knee could affect his style of play, Hurts played it close to the chest. “Every game is different, so just want to take it a day at a time and continue to progress,”he said. The statement left some wondering if his mobility-a cornerstone of his game-might be compromised come Sunday.
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Hurts has already faced the Commanders twice this season, leading the Eagles to a 26-18 win in their first meeting before leaving their Week 16 rematch early with a concussion. Now, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, Hurts is ready to take the reins again, even if he’s not operating at full strength.
Despite modest passing numbers in the playoffs-just 259 combined yards over two games-Hurts’ impact on the Eagles’ ground game alongside Saquon Barkley has been undeniable. Whether he’ll be healthy enough to execute signature plays like the “Tush Push” remains to be seen.
The NFC Championship Game kicks off Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. With a Super Bowl berth within reach, all eyes will be on Hurts to see if he can lead the Eagles one step closer to glory.
