The Washington Commanders will face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in the NFC championship game. This is the third meeting of the season between the longtime NFC East rivals, but it is also their first-ever meeting in the NFC title game. However, one question will loom over this game: the injury status of Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.
In Philadelphia’s NFC divisional round win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Hurts was sacked and bent back awkwardly. He appeared to injure his knee on the play but remained in the game.
Afterward, Hurts was vague about his knee. We’ll likely know more about Hurts once the Eagles release their first injury report of the week, but Hurts indicated he’d be on the field next week against the Commanders.
Jalen Hurts got his leg twisted up but stayed in the game pic.twitter.com/0LoZ5z1htm
— Tedd Buddwell
(@TedBuddy8) January 19, 2025
So, while Hurts or Philadelphia didn’t disclose information regarding any potential injury, Dr. Mark Schwartz, an orthopedic surgeon and Co-Director of Virtua Health Sports Medicine Program in New Jersey, joined 94WIP Morning Show in Philadelphia on Monday to discuss the injury.
“Gun to my head, gut feeling, maybe a mild MCL sprain, medial collarette ligament, I think his ankle got caught up and then I think he tweaked the knee,” Schwartz said.
So why does Schwartz think it’s only a mild sprain?
“Well, they put him back in the game,” he said. “I think that’s the kind of the litmus test that he was able to finish the game; he didn’t miss any plays during the game……..I think he’ll probably get an MRI this week, and they’ll probably get some rehab. I guess they’ll see how he feels as the week progresses. The problem is he’s a mobile quarterback, and his mobility is definitely impaired.”
Schwartz said it was a concerning injury for a mobile quarterback.
What does it mean for Sunday’s game against the Commanders?
“I think they probably give him a protective brace to protect the MCL; they may limit how much he is running.”
Schwartz said he was confident Hurts didn’t tear his ACL.
It’s likely the Eagles will not reveal the severity of Hurts’ injury, regardless of how minor it is.