The Eagles saw their 10-game win streak fall in Week 16 with a heartbreaking 36-33 loss to the Commanders, but their primary concern after the game was starting quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Hurts exited early in the game with a concussion, forcing Kenny Pickett into action at the helm of a high-flying offense. While Philadelphia scored 33 points, due in part to Commanders turnovers, it wasn’t enough to clinch the NFC East.
The Eagles are staring down the possibility of Pickett starting again with the NFC East still up for grabs. Their QB situation all depends on Hurts’ ability to clear concussion protocol before Sunday’s game against the Cowboys.
Here are the latest updates on Hurts’ status for the Eagles’ Week 17 game.
NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
Is Jalen Hurts playing this week?
Hurts was officially ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys, with the Eagles deciding Friday that Pickett will start.
Hurts was originally reported as unlikely to play by NFL Network on Thursday. He still hasn’t practiced since entering concussion protocol and was in the early stages of the protocol as of Thursday night.
Pickett has been preparing to start, ESPN’s Tim McManus reported, despite dealing with a rib injury of his own. The former Steelers starter stayed in the game after a hit from Bobby Wagner in the loss to the Commanders and underwent tests after the game, but he still plans on suiting up with additional padding protecting his ribs.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni told reporters Friday that it was “going to be tough” for Hurts to be ready for Sunday’s game.
“It’s going to be tough for him to make it.”
—Nick Sirianni on Jalen Hurts, who is still in concussion protocol. Sounds like it’ll be Kenny Pickett at QB for the #Eagles vs. the Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/86AXiooc5b
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) December 27, 2024
Hurts hasn’t missed a game due to injury since the closing weeks of the 2022 season, when he battled a shoulder issue. The injury similarly forced a backup into action against the Cowboys late in an otherwise dominant Eagles season, and Philadelphia still landed the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
This time, the Eagles’ No. 1 seed hopes have become distant. The loss to Washington left Philadelphia with only a 4% chance to earn a first-round bye, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index, so the No. 2 seed is the team’s most likely landing spot regardless of Hurts’ status for Week 17.
Unless a player has a history of concussions, the injury typically doesn’t lead to a multi-week absence. That means Hurts would likely be in line to return to his starting role in Week 18, though the Eagles could opt to sit key starters if they fall out of the race for the No. 1 seed and secure the NFC East title.
MORE: Why Nick Sirianni, Zach Ertz had to be separated after intense game
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 would be Pickett’s backup if Hurts is ruled out. The Stanford product was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 draft and has not taken an NFL snap through nearly two seasons.
