A league source stated that due to sickness, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was demoted to questionable for Monday night’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
In an attempt to keep other players healthy, Hurts is traveling independently of the team for the away game. Due to his illness, the 25-year-old was unable to participate in the team’s final practice on Saturday; however, at first, it seemed as though his absence was preventive.
League insiders say there’s still hope Hurts can play, albeit at a reduced level, provided his condition doesn’t become worse. It’s difficult to predict Hurts’ status ahead of kickoff, though, because of his unpredictable medical history.
The NFL’s sideline ban for Dom DiSandro is yet another overreaction.Hurts has accumulated 3,192 passing yards, 460 rushing yards, and 31 touchdowns in all while starting all 13 of the Eagles’ games this season. With significant playoff implications the remainder of the way, the Eagles travel to Seattle seeking to snap a two-game losing run. With a victory, they would guarantee a spot in the postseason and maintain autonomy in the NFC East competition.Hurts has previously struggled with illness in the days preceding games. He felt sick during the team’s midseason loss to the Washington Commanders last year, and he experienced flu-like symptoms during the Eagles’ victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3 of this season. He completed the road game against the Bucs with a 23-for-37 total of 277 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
The Eagles will turn to backup quarterback Marcus Mariota if Hurts is unable to play. Hurts was replaced briefly by the nine-year veteran on December 3 during the Eagles’ 42-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers as Hurts had a concussion evaluation. In his five plays, Mariota was 2 for 3 for 16 yards. Mariota, 30, had 13 starts for the Atlanta Falcons last season out of his 74 career starts.
A.J. Brown, Dallas Goedert, DeVonta Smith, and Mariota convened in the locker room following Saturday’s practice to discuss a few specifics from the session.
The only other quarterback on the team is rookie quarterback Tanner McKee, who would be used in No. 2 duty in the event that Hurts is unable to play.The Seahawks are likewise struggling with quarterback uncertainty. Due to a groin ailment that prevented him from playing in Seattle’s 28-16 loss to the 49ers on Sunday, veteran starter Geno Smith is doubtful going into Monday’s game. The Seahawks will once again resort to Missourian Drew Lock, a 27-year-old backup quarterback with 22 career starts, if Smith is declared ineligible.The Eagles will be without a couple more important starters for the prime-time game in Seattle in addition to Hurts. Following a week without practice, linebacker Zach Cunningham, right lineman Cam Jurgens, and cornerback Darius Slay were all declared out on Saturday.Despite undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery last week, Slay, 32, is not anticipated to be placed on injured reserve. A league source reports that although the Eagles had other possibilities to start youngster Kelee Ringo in Slay’s place, Ringo is likely to start. The Georgia native, selected in the fourth round, played nearly entirely on special teams during the season’s first twelve games. However, last week against the Dallas Cowboys, he was given some playing time in dime packages.The 21-year-old’s athleticism made him a high-upside prospect; yet, his ability to shift direction in coverage was a question mark. He clocked a 4.36-second 40-yard sprint at the NFL scouting combine. Ringo moved up to replace undrafted rookie Eli Ricks and second-year corner Josh Jobe, who had both been Slay’s and James Bradberry’s backup outside cornerbacks this season.Jurgens is slated to start in place of reserve lineman Sua Opeta, who had a pectoral injury against the Cowboys last week. Earlier in the season, Opeta started four games in place of Jurgens, who was placed on injured reserve due to a foot injury.
Veteran linebacker Shaquille Leonard is anticipated to start in Cunningham’s place for the first time since joining the Eagles two weeks ago. In his Eagles debut against the Cowboys, 28-year-old Leonard played 14 snaps.
