Philadelphia Eagles franchise QB Jalen Hurts has had a testing 2023 season. The Pro Bowler has racked up almost as many interceptions as he has touchdowns on his way to helping his team to a 6-1 record. Hence, while the Eagles are on track to yet another deep playoff run, Hurts’ form leaves a lot to be desired. As if that wasn’t dicey enough, the Alabama Crimson Tide alum is dealing with a knee injury coming into Week 8.
In this article, we give you the latest update on Hurts’ injury as well as his likely return date. So, without further ado, let’s get to it.
Jalen Hurts was deff going through something. Even though he was hurt he came through for us #Eagles
Philly Strong 💪🏻
— Philly Talk Podcast (@Philly_Mike25) October 23, 2023
Jalen Hurts Injury Update
According to Tim McManus of ESPN, Jalen Hurts played the second half of the Eagles’ Week 7 win over the Miami Dolphins with a knee brace on his left leg. It’s important to note that Hurts rushed 11 times (including three kneel-downs) for 21 yards and a TD in the first half of Week 7. However, in the second half, the dual-threat QB rushed a mere three times. That goes to show you how badly the knee injury limited the typically eager-to-run Hurts from playing his signature way.
At the end of the game, Hurts was seen grimacing as his team trudged off the gridiron. His teammates later revealed that their QB1 played through pain in the win over Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins. It’s pertinent to note that since entering the NFL, Hurts has only sustained two notable injuries. The first happened on Nov. 28, 2021, against the New York Giants. Hurts suffered a Grade 3 pedal ankle (high) sprain and missed a game.
His second notable injury occurred on Dec. 18, 2022, when the shot caller picked up a shoulder injury. He missed two games as a result but was ready for the Eagles postseason run. Hurts has since remained mostly injury-free.
The exchange between Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa after Sunday night’s game, via @NFLFilms:
pic.twitter.com/v9uz7ErsVC— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 23, 2023
As per Nick Sirianni Hurts is expected to play in Week 8, but the road to recovery is certainly not as easy as many think.
#Eagles coach Nick Sirianni says the team is confident Jalen Hurts will be ready to play. “We anticipate him to go but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.”
— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) October 25, 2023
What happened to Jalen Hurts?
Jalen Hurts clearly over-exerted his knee in the first half of Week 7, with the 2022 MVP runner-up rushing the ball at a running back-heavy clip. The disadvantage of this style of play is that the propensity to get more banged up is more than usual, and Hurts certainly felt that against Miami.
Hence, he struggled for the entirety of the second half of the game. Hurts even threw a pick-six in the third quarter that tied the game 17-17. However, thankfully for the Eagles, he bounced back and made a go-ahead touchdown pass to A.J. Brown in the fourth quarter, and another to Kenneth Gainwell in order to ice out the game. Eagles fans will hope that the knee brace was merely a precaution rather than a sign of a long-term layoff.
JALEN HURTS.
AJ BROWN.OH MY GOODNESSpic.twitter.com/51hBAxSlM0
— Barstool Philly (@BarstoolPhilly) October 23, 2023
When will Jalen Hurts return?
According to Jalen Hurts himself, “Nothing too much. Just get ready for the next opponent.” That shows that Hurts believes that he will be available for selection in Week 8 against the Washington Commanders. Hurts’ coach, Nick Sirianni, was full of praise for the QB’s grit after the Dolphins’ game. Sirianni said:
“He played the rest of the game and played at a very high level; I thought he played really outstanding. Man, he is a competitor. There is nobody else I would rather be our quarterback. He played his butt off tonight. He’s tough.” Hence, expect Jalen Hurts to return to action in Week 8, as the dual-threat QB helps lead the Eagles in their quest to remedy last year’s Super Bowl game loss. The franchise needs all the help it can get, especially from its generational dual-threat shotcaller.
