NFL I Playoffs
Jalen Hurts injury update: Eagles QB reportedly has MCL strain ahead of Sunday’s NFC Championship game vs Commanders
Jalen Hurts played through a knee injury during their game against the Rams last week and now his health heading into the NFC title game is in question.
The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round to advance to the NFC Conference Championship, where they’ll face their division rival Washington Commanders this Sunday. The winner will earn a trip to Super Bowl LIX, where they’ll face either the Buffalo Bills or the two-time defending champions Kansas City Chiefs.
During their game against the Rams on Sunday, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who only recently came back from a concussion, injured his left knee. The injury was not so severe that he could not continue, but he did visit the medical tent briefly, so his health heading into the game this Sunday is currently still in question.
Jalen Hurts injury update ahead of NFC title game
In their 28-22 victory over the Rams, Hurts finished with 15-of-20 completions for 128 yards, no touchdowns or interceptions, and added seven carries for 70 yards and one touchdown on the ground. As he took his time with the ball, he was sacked six times, which may have been due to limited mobility from the injury.
“I think there’s always an urgency to trying to get the ball out,” Hurts said. “But there are a ton of different things that go into the effectiveness of a play. All 11 just have to be on the same page…I know I always take the brunt of that, and I own that. I try to control what I can in everything and be better. So we can win.”
After the game, when Hurts was asked about how he was feeling, he said simply, “I finished the game”. It’s since been reported that Hurts is dealing with an MCL strain in his knee.
After Wednesday’s walkthrough, where Hurts was listed as a limited participant, he said that the recovery was progressing.
“Taking it a day at a time,” Hurts said. “Was able to participate [Wednesday] and be involved in stuff. So just taking it a day at a time.”
On top of the MCL strain, Hurts is still not fully recovered from when he broke a finger on his non-throwing hand. He’s said it’s improved, but is still not 100%. Hurts has not been healthy at the end of a season since his first year as the Eagles starting quarterback in the 2020-21 season.
In 2021, Hurts ended the season with an ankle injury that required surgery in the offseason. In 2022, he led the Eagles to the Super Bowl while playing through a shoulder injury. In 2023, he ended the season with a dislocated finger.
“It’s a part of the game,” Hurts said. “I accept whatever comes with that...I’ve submitted to doing whatever it takes to win. Some things come with that. But ultimately, just gotta make the adjustments you need to make to be able to play at a high level. There won’t be any excuses going in or coming out.”
With the Super Bowl on the line, there is no question about whether or not Hurts will play on Sunday. The question is just how bad is this injury and how well will he be able to play. He took them to a Super Bowl with an injury once. Now we’ll see if he can do it again.
The Eagles vs Commanders NFC Conference Championship game will be broadcast on FOX, and you can also follow along with our live text coverage of the game, brought to you by yours truly, right here on AS USA.
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