Eagles Injury News: Updates on Jalen Hurts, Josh Sweat and Others

Just because the Philadelphia Eagles got a first-round bye doesn’t mean they’re sitting back and relaxing. The team held the first of two practices this week on Thursday morning.

Since there is no game this weekend, the Birds are not required to issue an official injury report. But there are some updates to sort through, so we’ll do it player by player.

JALEN HURTS

The way the Eagles were so direct about Hurts’ shoulder injury is a little strange. Nick Sirianni didn’t try to downplay how the quarterback played through a lot of pain in Week 18. Hurts just said he was feeling “good enough” to play in that game.

Coaches and players are not always as transparent as eagles have been in this situation. So I’m not sure what to do to make sure of this.

The evidence seems to suggest they’re being honest. Hurts appeared to be limited on Thursday:

Damn it. That last line is not very comforting.

It’s at least possible that the Eagles are trying to capitalize on the severity of Hurts’ injury, as Sirianni is so big on the ideas of subterfuge and competitive advantage.

But the thinking here is that the Hurts will once again have to play through pain in the Divisional Round. Maybe the shoulder is better than it was at week 18 after some rest. That’s certainly the Eagles’ hope.

It won’t be ideal if the Hurts are limited in practice ahead of next weekend’s game. He will undoubtedly be good enough to suit. It remains to be seen whether he can perform at a high level as a passer and whether he can handle a considerable workload as a runner.

JOSH SWEAT

Sweat returned to training after sitting out last week. He said he looked forward to being able to play despite having to be stretchered off on January 1. Good news.

The Eagles’ pass rush appears to run deeper than it has recently, with Sweat and Robert Quinn now both back in the fold.

AJ BROWN

Brown did not train and was seen with a calf sleeve. But the Eagles said he would have a rest day.

ROBERT QUINN

Quinn didn’t practice either. Probably a veteran maintenance day for the 32-year-old.

LANE JOHNSON

Johnson was not seen training with the team, but was doing some conditioning work in a side field. The Eagles’ starting right tackle is expected to be available to play in the first playoff game.

VONTE MADDOX

Maddox is still not practicing. We’ll see how it goes next week, but the hunch here is that an NFC Championship Game return might be more realistic for him.

The Eagles should continue to use CJ Gardner-Johnson in the slot with Reed Blankenship playing nickel safely when needed.

ARRYN SIPOSS

In a somewhat unexpected development, Siposs indicated he could play in the Divisional Round.

Siposs is eligible to return from injured reserve after missing four games. Siposs wasn’t having a great year leading up to his injury, but at least he was just below average instead of outright bad. The latter description fits what the Eagles have accomplished with Brett Kern so far.