The Philadelphia Eagles may have to roll without Jalen Hurts in Week 17.
In a Friday news conference, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said the starting quarterback was still in concussion protocol.
“It’s going to be tough for [Hurts] to make it this week,” Sirianni said, per ESPN’s Tim McManus.
Hurts suffered the concussion in the first quarter of the Eagles’ Week 16 loss to the Washington Commanders and was unable to return to the game. Philadelphia’s backup quarterback, Kenny Pickett, played the remainder of the divisional clash and is in line to start in Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys should Hurts remain in the concussion protocol.
The Eagles also signed quarterback Ian Book to their practice squad on Thursday in the wake of the news that Pickett was also banged up with a rib injury. Pickett was a full participant in practice on Thursday, though, so he should be good to go for Sunday’s game.
All things Eagles: Latest Philadelphia Eagles news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
Second-year quarterback Tanner McKee is also on Philadelphia’s roster.
MIKE MCCARTHY:Dallas head coach’s stock is rising. Could he dump Cowboys to join another NFL team?
Hurts suffered a concussion in the first quarter of the Eagles’ Week 16 loss to the Commanders in Washington.
The Eagles’ quarterback was scrambling on a designed run – a quarterback draw play – and gained 13 yards before Washington linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu brought him down. During the tackle, Hurts’ head slammed against the ground.
It took the 26-year-old a couple of extra moments and the help of one of his offensive linemen to stand back up. He made eye contact with umpire Alex Moore before giving a thumbs up, but Moore still sent Hurts off to receive a concussion evaluation.
The quarterback went to the blue medical tent briefly before returning to the Eagles sideline. Moments later, trainers sent Hurts back to the locker room, where he was officially diagnosed with a concussion and ruled out.
All the players and the plays: Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter.
On Friday, Sirianni told reporters that Hurts was still in the NFL’s concussion protocol and that it would “be tough for him to make it this week.”
Hurts was a non-participant in the Eagles’ Wednesday and Thursday practices, and several news outlets reported that the quarterback was nowhere to be seen at Friday’s practice. It’s almost certain Hurts will miss Philadelphia’s clash with the Cowboys in Week 17.
NFL WEEK 17 PICKS:Packers or Vikings in NFC North showdown?
Hurts will likely miss the Eagles’ Week 17 game while in the NFL’s concussion protocol. His progress in the coming days will dictate whether the quarterback will need to miss any more time.
There have been several players this season who have missed more than one game following a concussion diagnosis. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missed four games earlier this year after sustaining a head injury in Week 2. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence also ended up on injured reserve earlier this month after suffering a concussion in Week 13.
When Hurts returns depends on how much progress he’s able to make in the concussion protocol in the days – and potentially weeks – ahead.
COWBOYS AT EAGLES:Predictions, picks, odds for NFL Week 17 game
The NFL’s concussion protocol is a five-step process that each player diagnosed with a concussion must clear before he can return to gameday action.
Here are the five steps, per the NFL:
Philadelphia has not stated where Hurts is in the protocol, but it’s clear he still has some way to go. As a result, he’ll miss Sunday’s game.
