The Philadelphia Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts, started the current NFL season on a promising note after their Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022. With a strong streak of consecutive wins until Week 12, optimism surrounded the team.
However, the Eagles momentum faltered post-Week 12, experiencing back-to-back losses. They ended their regular season with another loss to the New York Giants, although they secured a playoff spot due to their previous winning streak. Besides the on-field struggle, injuries haunted Hurts several times this season. Ahead of the wildcard match against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his participation remains a crucial question.
Is Jalen Hurts playing against Buccaneers?
The Eagles are preparing to face the Bucs at Raymond James Stadium on Monday night, and the question on fans’ minds is whether Jalen Hurts will be in action. The game, set to be broadcast on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+, has gained significant attention, and fans are eager to see if QB1 can lead his team to victory.
The signal-caller, who suffered a dislocated finger on his throwing (right) hand, has been the subject of discussions leading up to the game. Head coach Nick Sirianni provided updates on his condition and reassured fans that the quarterback had a “good practice” on Friday. Despite the injury, the QB was a full participant in Saturday’s practice, clearing the way for his participation in Monday night’s matchup.
“He’s fighting through the finger injury, but he had a good practice yesterday, so excited for him and this opportunity. Really excited. The energy and the juice in this building today of being here in the playoffs again, we’re really excited. We can’t wait,” Nick said via the Philadelphia Eagles.
The injury occurred during a fourth-down play against the New York Giants. The rival’s veteran Bobby Okereke’s pressure forced Hurts’s right middle finger into a gruesome dislocation.
Taking a closer look at Jalen Hurts’s 2023 season statistics, it is evident that he has been a key contributor to Philly’s success. He recorded 538 completions for 3,858 yards, along with 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Besides that, the QB’s 157 rushing attempts resulted in an impressive 605 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, highlighting his dual-threat ability.
Buccaneers vs Eagles injury report
The Eagles will be without wide receiver A.J. Brown, who suffered a knee injury last week against the Giants. Brown’s absence creates a void in the team’s offense, prompting coach Sirianni to highlight a collective effort to compensate for the lost production. Besides him, safety Sydney Brown won’t be available due to a torn ACL suffered in Week 18. Philly now have the option to open up a roster spot by placing him on injured reserve.
Meanwhile, safety Reed Blankenship is questionable for the match with a groin injury. But they receive a boost with DeVonte Smith’s clearance to play. Punt returner Britain Covey, who had been a limited participant earlier in the week due to a groin injury, is also good to go for the Wild Card Round game.
In the Bucs’ camp, the spotlight falls on quarterback Baker Mayfield, listed as questionable due to ankle and rib injuries. The QB’s health has been a focal point in the lead-up to the matchup, with limited practice time raising concerns. However, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles expressed optimism about the signal-caller’s readiness by stating that he is feeling good and prepared to take the field.
Linebacker K.J. Britt (calf) and cornerback Josh Hayes (quad/knee) are also questionable for the campaign. Meanwhile, defensive lineman Mike Greene has been ruled out.
