The Philadelphia Eagles faced a worst-case scenario on Sunday when they lost to the Washington Commanders, with star quarterback Jalen Hurts sustaining a head injury that was later diagnosed as a concussion. Hurts has now entered concussion protocol, and the latest update on his condition suggests he may struggle to be ready for the Eagles’ upcoming game against the Dallas Cowboys. NFL insider Lindsey Ok reported that Hurts did not participate in Wednesday’s practice, which raises concerns about his availability for Sunday’s game. If he misses both Thursday and Friday’s practices due to remaining in protocol, it’s likely he will be ruled out.
Compounding the Eagles’ problems, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett is also injured, which could force the team to consider signing a replacement. According to Mike Garafolo, the Eagles have brought in former quarterback Ian Book for a visit. Book could serve as insurance in case Pickett is unable to play, but losing both the first- and second-string quarterbacks before such an important divisional game would be a significant setback.
A win over the Cowboys would secure the NFC East title for the Eagles, but losing Hurts makes that goal much more difficult. If Pickett also can’t play, the Eagles would be left with just second-year quarterback Tanner McKee on the roster. Book, who was with the Eagles in 2022 and spent time on the practice squads of the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs in 2023 and 2024, could be signed in the coming days depending on the injury status of Hurts and Pickett.
The Eagles will likely be cautious with Hurts given the team’s playoff position. Though they’ve already clinched a postseason spot, winning the division and hosting a playoff game is the goal. Given the uncertainty around concussions, the team may opt to give Hurts more time to recover, even if he clears protocol, to ensure he’s fully healthy for the playoffs.
