Jalen Hurts is one of the most polarizing quarterbacks in the NFL… when healthy.
The former third-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles has cemented himself as the face of the franchise. The Eagles will go as far as Hurts takes them, plain and simple.
And no — that’s not a knock on Howie Roseman — who has systematically built a roster (on both sides of the football) that has young talent prepared to compete with anyone in the NFL.
But with so many unknowns and major shakeups (particularly on defense) heading into Monday’s critical NFC road test against the Seattle Seahawks, it’s going to be a tough situation if Hurts can’t play.
Is Jalen Hurts Playing Monday Night?
According ESPN Insider Adam Schefter’s Monday afternoon appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Hurts is far from fully cleared to play in Monday’s road trek to Seattle.
"It was described to me yesterday that Jalen Hurts was in real jeopardy of missing the game tonight..
I think he's gonna try to play but I don't know if he's going to play" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/9I1vkF51Hi
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 18, 2023
”I think he’s going to try to play, I don’t know if he’s going to end up playing the game,” Schefter said.
“Yesterday as it was described to me, he was in real danger And jeopardy of missing the game, and we will see. That guy is so tough, and a warrior so it’s hard for me not to see him trying to play, but he’s been very very sick.”
Schefter then noted just how intense this current sickness may truly be. Hurts —on a long trip from Philly to Seattle — flew in a plane alone, separate from the team, to prevent contamination and spreading of his current sickness.
If Hurts can’t suit up (or does but plays awful due to sickness), that’s a major blow to a Philly team digging hard to solidify an identity for this season when it matters the most.
Can Eagles Overcome Jalen Hurts Not Playing?
The Eagles, who sealed a playoff berth on Sunday thanks to several other teams’ losses, have retaken the lead for the NFC East thanks to the Dallas Cowboys falling to the Buffalo Bills. Monday night is the NFL’s first-ever flexed game for “Monday Night Football,” with Eagles-Seahawks replacing the previously scheduled matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots, which was moved to Sunday afternoon.
A Pro Bowl selection and NFL MVP runner-up in 2022, Hurts this year has passed for 3,192 yards with 19 passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions along with 12 rushing touchdowns.
If Hurts can’t suit up, the team will turn to veteran backup Marcus Mariota. He’s capable of leading the team to a victory, but it won’t be an ideal situation.. Mariota started 13 games for the Atlanta Falcons last season before being replaced late in the season.
The Philly defense just made a major move, handing leadership over to Matt Patricia as the Eagles head into the most critical part of the NFL campaign.
As each hour passes, Eagles fans are going to be locked on their phones waiting for the news their franchise QB is ideally good to go for Monday Night Football.
If that isn’t the case? They will cross their fingers and hope Mariota can get the job done.
Either way, the Philadelphia Eagles seem to be in a strange position when most of the NFL’s elite teams have the formula figured out at this point in the NFL season. Tonight will be a huge test, no matter how it pans out and who ends up starting.