
Philadelphia Eagles fans can exhale a sigh of relief as quarterback Jalen Hurts has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol and is slated to start in Sunday's NFC wild-card game against the Green Bay Packers. Head Coach Nick Sirianni confirmed Hurts' status, saying the QB is "ready to roll" for the upcoming playoff clash. After participating as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Hurts was bumped up to full participant for both Thursday and Friday. Sirianni highlighted the quarterback's good week of practice and emphasized his importance to the team, stating, "You always want Jalen Hurts on the field. You always feel better when Jalen Hurts is on the field," in a statement obtained by CBS News Philadelphia.
Looking at the wider team's health, wide receiver DeVonta Smith missed practice today as a precaution, but has no injury designation and will play Sunday. However, guard Trevor Keegan and edge rusher Byron Young are listed as out for Sunday's matchup. The Eagles have also made a roster adjustment by placing offensive lineman Jack Driscoll on Injured Reserve and signing Brett Toth to the active roster, as per an official report from Philadelphia Eagles' news portal.
The Eagles' head coach has also dismissed any concerns over potential rustiness affecting Hurts' performance or his rapport with key receivers. "They've got a lot of reps together prior to the last couple of weeks. A lot, a lot of reps together. So that's not a concern of mine. I just feel like we're in a good spot going into this game," Sirianni told 6abc. Hurts' previous outing against the Packers in the season opener showcased his capabilities, as he notched 278 passing yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in a 34-29 victory.
In the interim period during Hurts’ recovery, backup quarterbacks had varying levels of success. Kenny Pickett stepped in but subsequently sustained a rib injury. Tanner McKee got the nod against the Giants and managed to secure a win, tossing a couple of touchdowns. This game-of-musical-chairs situation underscores the undeniable boost that Hurts’ return is poised to give the Eagles as they prepare for a crucial showdown against the Packers this weekend. His earlier performance against the same opponent suggests that the Eagles could indeed have a more comfortable flight pattern charted out with Hurts at the helm.