One of the frontrunners in the NFL MVP race, Jalen Hurts, returned to the practice field Thursday, but the team remains non-committal on which quarterback will start Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said the team is waiting to see how Hurts’ injured shoulder responds to the increased workload and is still “figuring out” whether Hurts or Gardner Minshew will start.
Although Hurts has not been ruled out for this week’s game, he was listed as doubtful by the Eagles on Friday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Jalen Hurts, #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles, runs the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Minshew replaced Hurts last week in a losing effort, but an Eagles win this Sunday would clinch the top seed in the NFC playoffs and earn Philly a first-round bye.
During a news conference on Friday, Sirianni mentioned that Hurts had thrown the ball well in his first practice since spraining his shoulder in Week 15.
“We’re still figuring that out,” Sirianni said. “Obviously, Jalen had a good practice [Thursday] and he seemed to do some things very well. . . . I still haven’t decided anything yet. We still have a couple of days.”
EAGLES LOSES PRO BOWLER LANE JOHNSON FOR REST OF REGULAR SEASON; TEAM HOPING FOR POST-SEASON RETURN: REPORT
Sirianni also added that Hurts’ health is the team’s top priority. He participated in individual drills for part of practice and was seen throwing some short and intermediate passes. He did not participate in ball safety drills, while Minshew and second-year quarterback Ian Book did.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) leads a pack in action during a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears on December 18, 2022 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL.
(Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“The speed of the ball was good, the accuracy was good, he felt good,” Sirianni said of his performance. “Those are the main things, and that’s what you want to see.”
Hurts was officially listed as a limited practice participant. But the fact that he’s now officially listed as doubtful on the team’s injury report doesn’t bode well for his chances of suiting up on Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws the ball before the start of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, September 25, 2022, in Landover, Maryland.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
According to Schefter, NFL players who received the dubious tag during the week leading up to a game on Sunday were expected to sit out the upcoming contest.
Schefter previously reported that Hurts had suffered a sprained SC joint in his throwing shoulder.
The Eagles lost their second game of the season last week against the Cowboys with Hurts sidelined.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Eagles host the Saints, still alive in the NFC South title race, at 1 pm EST on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
