Jalen Hurts gives cryptic update on injury, status vs. Cowboys
Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) dances on the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts stunned the NFL world as it was revealed the MVP candidate suffered a shoulder injury and his update on Tuesday was cryptic.
Jalen Hurts delivered another MVP-level performance to move the Philadelphia Eagles to 13-1 on Sunday against the Bears and that put all eyes on a Christmas Eve showdown with the rival Dallas Cowboys as Philly could potentially twist the knife in their NFC East foes by clinching the division and the No. 1 seed with a win. Then came Monday’s aftershocks.
As the betting odds indicated before any news dropped with Dallas moving from 1.5-point to 5-point favorites in the game, Hurts was diagnosed with a shoulder sprain that is not expected to be season-ending but could possibly keep him out of the vaunted Eagles-Cowboys showdown.
On Tuesday in the wake of the injury news, Hurts spoke with the media and didn’t close the door on playing against Dallas. However, his words were more cryptic and vague than anything.
Jalen Hurts updates fans on injury but offers little clarity for Eagles vs Cowboys
“Ultimately, I want to do what’s best for the team,” Hurts said, via SI’s Eagles Today. “It’s a thing where you take it one day at a time. I think the best thing for me is being ready to play and being of best health and that’s a day-by-day thing.”
Hurts also added that he’s still preparing to play. However, when he’s talking about taking things day-by-day and “what’s best for the team” that is awfully vague. What’s best for the team could be sitting out against the Cowboys to preserve his health for the playoffs. It could also be giving it a go instead of turning to backup Gardner Minshew.
The truth of the matter is that it’s often hard to take NFL players at their own word when it comes to injuries. Not only is it not their sole decision to play, but they also frequently overestimate their ability to overcome certain ailments. They are, after all, ultimate competitors.
This will be something to monitor all the way up until Santa is loading up his sleigh and the Eagles and Cowboys prepare for one of the games of the year on Dec. 24.
