Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni has left the door open for injured quarterback Jalen Hurts to play in Saturday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Hurts sustained a right (throwing) shoulder sprain during Philadelphia’s 25-20 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Reports circled Monday that he could miss the upcoming game for the Eagles, who would then have to turn to backup Gardner Minshew for Saturday’s contest in Arlington, Texas.
Not so fast, Sirianni said Tuesday.
“I don’t put anything past Jalen Hurts as far as his mental and physical toughness. There’s a chance he could play this week,” Sirianni said. “He is one of the toughest guys I know. He heals fast, he’s a freak — his body is not like, pardon me, yours or mine, and I’m shaming myself there a little bit, too.
“He heals fast. He came back fast from his injury last year; I will not rule him out. I will not put a timetable on him on him. We’ll see what happens this week. He’ll be ready to go this week if he can play this week, and so will Gardner.”
Like Sirianni, Hurts also kept the door open on his availability for Saturday’s game.
“Definitely a chance. Taking it day-by-day, though,” Hurts said. “Everybody knows I’m dealing with something. I think it’s pretty public and it’s out there. … I’m taking it one day at a time with it and preparing against a really good defense.”
Hurts, 24, has thrown for 3,472 yards with 22 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also has rushed for 747 yards and 13 scores.
“We will play him when he’s ready to play,” Sirianni said. “If that’s this week, it’s this week. If it’s next week, it’s next week. When Jalen’s ready to play, he’s ready to play. All aspects of it.”
The NFC East-leading Eagles (13-1) can clinch the division title with a win or tie against the Cowboys (10-4). They can clinch home-field advantage and the NFC’s lone first-round bye with a win or a tie and a Minnesota Vikings’ loss or tie against the New York Giants on Saturday.
Philadelphia won the first meeting against Dallas his season after the Cowboys swept the 2021 series with a pair of victories by 20-plus points.
–Field Level Media
