Quarterback Gardner Minshew gets ready to make his second straight start on Sunday with the Philadelphia Eagles officially listing Jalen Hurts as doubtful on Friday.
There had been some optimism that Hurts could return from a sprained right shoulder after he threw the ball with velocity and accuracy in Thursday’s practice.
That door was all but closed on Friday, however, as the MVP candidate was a limited participant in Friday’s session before receiving the dreaded “doubtful” tag.
According to ESPN, no player this season who was listed as doubtful has gone on to play that weekend.
That means Minshew will once again try to lock up the No. 1 seed and the NFC East division title Sunday when the Eagles (13-2) host the New Orleans Saints (6-9). Only the top seed gets a first-round bye, plus homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.
Minshew started in Hurts’ spot in the Christmas Eve loss to the Dallas Cowboys (12-4), who won Thursday night to remain in the hunt for the division crown.
Minshew threw for 355 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions against the Cowboys.
Hurts is part of the conversation for NFL MVP honors due to his stellar season. He has passed for 3,472 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions, and rushed for 747 yards and 13 scores in 14 games.
The Eagles will be missing Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson (groin) and starting cornerback Avonte Maddox (toe).
Wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee), running back Miles Sanders (knee) and defensive tackles Jordan Davis (concussion) and Linval Joseph (illness) were all full participants in Friday’s practice.
–Field Level Media
