The Eagles’ late-season push for the NFC’s top seed took a hit when quarterback Jalen Hurts went down during Week 16.
Hurts exited the game in the first quarter after taking a hit at the end of a scramble. After undergoing multiple evaluations, he did not return to the field.
Hurts will be sidelined for the Eagles’ Week 17 tilt with the Cowboys, and with the playoffs nearing, there are questions about how much time Philadelphia’s signal caller will miss.
Here is the latest on how much time Hurts is expected to miss with his injury.
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What is Jalen Hurts’ injury?
Hurts was diagnosed with a concussion after he was evaluated by the NFL’s independent neurologist during Philadelphia’s Week 16 loss to Washington.
Hurts suffered his head injury in the first quarter of the game. He hit his head on the ground as a Commanders’ defender tackled him at the end of a scramble.
Jalen Hurts #eagles
Being evaluated for a concussion after this hit pic.twitter.com/CS0gRQD5hp
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) December 22, 2024
This is the first known concussion of Hurts’ professional career.
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How long is Jalen Hurts out?
Hurts’ missed time depends on his NFL concussion protocol progress.
He sustained the concussion on Dec. 22 and did not practice during the week ahead of Philadelphia’s game on Dec. 29.
After being ruled out for Week 17, the focus shifts to Hurts’ availability for the Eagles’ regular-season finale against the Giants. Depending on results in Week 17, Philadelphia may not have much to play for in Week 18, which could lead to the team saving Hurts for the playoffs.
How long does the NFL concussion protocol last?
In order to be medically cleared, there are multiple steps a player must go through after a concussion. Time in the concussion protocol varies by the severity of the injury, so it can all be different on a case-by-case basis.
Below are the steps a player has to go through in the NFL to return to the field after a concussion.
Symptom limited activity
In this step, players are told to rest. They’re supposed to limit, or avoid, any physical or cognitive activities that would re-aggravate their symptoms. Under team training staff supervision, they can then begin to do limited stretching and aerobic exercise.
Aerobic exercise
Players begin with gradually increasing cardio exercises, stretching and balance training under trainer supervision.
Football-specific exercise
Cardio exercises are increased and can mimic “sport-specific activities,” and strength training is introduced.
By this stage, players are also able to work with the team in limited fashion (up to 30 minutes) with monitoring.
Club-based non-contact training drills
Continuing with their cardio exercises, strength training and football-specific exercises from before, players add non-contact football activities like throwing, catching and running in the fourth stage.
Full football activity/clearance
Players must be examined and cleared by the independent neurological consultant assigned to the team, and if cleared, they can fully practice or play again.
Eagles schedule 2024
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | Channel |
| 17 | Dec. 29 | vs. Cowboys | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 18 | TBD | vs. Giants | TBD | TBD |
Eagles QB depth chart
| QB | Player |
| 1 | Jalen Hurts |
| 2 | Kenny Pickett |
| 3 | Tanner McKee |
The Eagles acquired Pickett in a surprise trade with the Steelers in March, just two years after Pittsburgh selected Pickett in the first round of the draft. The Steelers, having already signed Russell Wilson, replaced Pickett with Justin Fields, while the Eagles plugged in the former Pitt star as Hurts’ backup.
Pickett has thrown for 4,622 yards, 14 touchdowns and 14 interceptions across 24 NFL starts, carrying a 14-10 record. He went 14-of-24 for 143 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in relief of Hurts against the Commanders.
Tanner McKee is Pickett’s backup when Hurts is out. The Stanford product was selected in the 6th round of the 2023 draft and has not taken an NFL snap through nearly two seasons.
