Jalen Hurts did not participate in practice with the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, casting further doubt on his availability for their Week 17 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Hurts has been dealing with a concussion since his head hit the ground during Sunday’s loss to the Washington Commanders. Head coach Nick Sirianni made nothing clear with his comments Thursday morning.
“We have a plan of what we want to do,” Sirianni said, “and we’ll see how today goes and how the warmups go and how it goes individually, and then to 7-on-7 and team.”
Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett, who filled in for Hurts for the remainder of the Commanders game, was a full participant in practice after dealing with a rib injury.
Sunday’s game is important for the 12-3 Eagles as they can clinch the NFC East with a win or a tie. The ball appears to be in Pickett’s hands and his teammates are confident he can help them score the ball.
“You just never know, that’s the nature of the game,” running back Saquon Barkley said. “When your opportunity comes, you have to be ready. If it is this week, he has a great opportunity and ten guys around him who believe in him and know he can help win this football game.”
The last time a quarterback other than Hurts started for the Eagles? Week 16 of the 2022 NFL season when Hurts was ruled out due to a shoulder injury and Gardner Minshew took his place against the Cowboys.
Broken left hand doesn’t bother Bills QB Josh Allen
The Buffalo Bills quarterback confirmed Thursday that he has been dealing with an injury to his non-throwing hand all season. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported this week that Allen suffered a broken left hand in the fourth quarter of the Bills’ Week 1 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Allen broke the bone after diving into the end zone for a six-yard touchdown run.
“Yes. Yes, it’s the left one, so it doesn’t really matter,” Allen said during Thursday’s media presence before quickly moving on to other questions.
While dealing with an injury to his left hand, Allen told CBS Sports after last week’s win over the New England Patriots that he had “no feeling” in his right hand after being hit in the right elbow by a helmet.
“I’m helmeted to the bone,” Allen told Evan Washburn. “I went to throw the next one, but I had no feeling in the hand. Came out a little wobbly.”
Allen was a full participant in the training this week.
Through 16 weeks, Allen is a strong contender for NFL MVP and has thrown for 3,549 yards, 26 touchdowns and six interceptions. On the ground, he has amassed 514 yards with 11 rushing touchdowns.
Packers WR Christian Watson remains out of practice
After bruising his bones in Monday night’s win over the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson is still scheduled to practice this week.
After a Saints player fell on him, there was concern about Watson’s knee, but Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed earlier this week that there was no structural damage and it was just a bone bruise.
On Thursday, LaFleur told reporters that even if Watson doesn’t practice this week, that doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t play against the Vikings on Sunday.
“If he feels like it on Sunday, I’ll let him go. If he doesn’t, we won’t let him go,” LaFleur said.
Here’s the rest of the Week 17 injury report. (Players will be added as teams release their reports.)
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
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RB Gus Edwards (single): out
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T Trey Pipkins III (hip): out
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LB Denzel Perryman (groin): out
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RB JK Dobbins (knee): Questionable
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TE Will Dissly (shoulder): Questionable
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TE Hayden Hurst (illness): Questionable
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CB Elijah Molden (knee): Questionable
PATRIOTS OF NEW ENGLAND
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CB Marcus Jones (hip): out
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C Ben Brown (concussion): Questionable
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S Kyle Duggar (ankle/quad): Questionable
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LB Curtis Jacobs (concussion): Questionable
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LB Anfernee Jennings (knee): Questionable
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LB Titus Leo (ankle): doubtful
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S Jabrill Peppers (hamstring): Questionable
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OL Cole Strange (knee): Questionable
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LB Sione Takitaki (knee): Questionable
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LB Jahlani Tavai (groin): Doubtful
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OT Caedan Wallace (ankle): Questionable
DENVER BRONCOS
CINCINNATI BENGALS
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DE Sam Hubbard (knee): out
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DT Sheldon Rankins (illness): out
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TE Tanner Hudson (knee): Questionable
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WR Tee Higgins (ankle, knee): Questionable
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WR Charlie Jones (groin): Questionable
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T Amarius Mims (ankle, hand): doubtful
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DE Joseph Ossai (illness): Questionable
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S Geno Stone (Disease): Questionable
CARDINALS OF ARIZONA
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S Joey Blount (ribs): out
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CB Elijah Jones (single): out
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K Matt Prater (left knee): out
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RB Trey Benson (ankle): Questionable
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G Evan Brown (neck): Questionable
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LB Baron Browning (neck): Questionable
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RB James Conner (knee): Questionable
