Eagles QB Jalen Hurts Cleared For Playoffs

The Eagles’ hopes for a No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs seemingly came to a halt, along with their 10-game winning streak, when Jalen Hurts was knocked out of Philadelphia’s Week 16 game against the division-rival Commanders after only one and a half drives. Luckily, Hurts’ injury should not limit them in the postseason as Mark Maske of The Washington Post reports that the quarterback has cleared the league’s concussion protocol.

When Hurts was injured, the Eagles deployed backup passer Kenny Pickett, who led an admirable attempt to take over the game against Washington but, ultimately, fell. As the playoffs drew nearer, Philadelphia was aware that they were out of reach of the 1-seed in the NFC but also out of reach of the other division-winners behind them. They put no pressure on Hurts to return quickly and announced Pickett as the starter in Week 17, despite some rib injuries Pickett sustained in the loss to the Commanders.

Regardless, Pickett led a strong effort against a depleted Cowboys team before being taken out early in the second half after taking another shot to the ribs. This forced third-string quarterback Tanner McKee to make his NFL debut after getting drafted in the sixth-round last year. McKee finished the job against Dallas and won his first career start against another depleted division-rival, the Giants, as well, in Week 18.

Though this experience was extremely useful, as both backup quarterbacks got real game action against NFL regular season defenses, it was likely never Philadelphia’s plan for either quarterback to see time in the postseason. They have the experience under their belt now, but one imagines the Eagles were just utilizing their depth and their security as the 2-seed in the NFC to give Hurts a rest.

With Hurts clearing concussion protocol, he’s set to start this Sunday against the 7-seed Packers. Luckily, Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love has also been cleared after leaving a Week 18 game against the Bears with an elbow injury on his throwing arm. Both players were full participants over the last two days, leading up to an exciting matchup in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.