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Jalen Hurts injury update: Eagles QB anticipates wearing knee brace vs Commanders
The Philadelphia Eagles are dealing with a key injury to their quarterback Jalen Hurts ahead of their NFC championship game appearance against the Washington Commanders.
Hurts suffered a left knee injury in the second half of Philadelphia's 28-22 win over the Los Angeles Rams. He bent awkwardly to the ground while being tackled by Desjuan Johnson and Jaylen McCollough and was checked out in the blue medical tent after hobbling off the field at the end of the drive.
Hurts did not miss time because of his injury, but he was spotted wearing a brace on his injured knee on the ensuing drive. That practice seems likely to continue as Hurts looks to get the Eagles to the Super Bowl for the second time in the last three years.
Here are the latest injury updates on Hurts and his status for the NFC championship game.
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Jalen Hurts injury update
Hurts was limited during Eagles practice Wednesday but returned to the field as a full participant Thursday. He wasn't listed on Philadelphia's injury report after Friday's practice, indicating he will be good to go Sunday.
Hurts was asked about his injured knee Friday and provided a positive update about it.
"It's been progressing, like coach said," Hurts told reporters.
Reporters also asked Hurts whether he would have to continue wear the brace for Sunday's game.
"I anticipate so," Hurts replied.
That will leave many NFL fans wondering about Hurts' mobility ahead of the contest. The good news for the Philadelphia faithful is Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson told ESPN Hurts "was mobile, he was moving" at practice while Saquon Barkley anticipates Hurts will be at his best in the game.
"I'm expecting Jalen to be Jalen," Barkley told ESPN. "He's going to show up for us, he's going to make plays. He's a winner. He's got the 'it' factor."
Who is Eagles' backup QB?
On the off-chance Hurts isn't able to play Sunday or re-injures his knee early in the game, Kenny Pickett would get a chance to start. Pickett was acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers via trade during the 2024 NFL offseason. The 2022 first-round pick won his lone start of the season for the Eagles and completed 59.5% of his passes for 291 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in limited action.
Pickett has a career record of 15-10 with a 62.4% completion rate, 4,765 yards, 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
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Eagles QB depth chart
The Eagles have have three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster and a fourth on their practice squad. They are as follows:
Jalen Hurts
Kenny Pickett
McKee will likely be Philadelphia's emergency third quarterback on Sunday. He would only be able to enter the game in the event of injuries to both Hurts and Pickett.
Book will remain on the practice squad as an emergency option for the team.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jalen Hurts injury update: Eagles QB anticipates wearing knee brace
