It’s a scare for the Philadelphia Eagles, but it sounds like they have avoided disaster.
Philly starting quarterback — and MVP favorite — Jalen Hurts has sprained his throwing shoulder, and may miss next week’s game vs. the Dallas Cowboys, according to ESPN. The injury is not considered to be “long-term” and if Hurts misses any extended time, it will reportedly be to get the shoulder to 100 percent.
Still, the Eagles have not locked up the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and could still lose home-field throughout the playoffs if they were to lose out. The Minnesota Vikings would have to win out for that to happen.
While that is unlikely even if backup Gardner Minshew has to start multiple games, Hurts’ effectiveness as he recovers from the injury will now be something to watch. Remember, Jimmy Garoppolo sprained his shoulder in last year’s NFC Wild Card game vs. the Dallas Cowboys, an injury significant enough that it required offseason surgery.
At the moment, the 49ers look like the biggest threat to usurp the Eagles as the favorites in the NFC. Hurts is having an outstanding season, and if he were to be at less than 100 percent come playoff time, it could have a significant affect on Philly’s chances.
For now, the injury has been listed as minor, and Hurts has three weeks to rest if necessary, and probably four, before the playoffs start. That should probably be enough time to render this scare moot.