Jalen Hurts 'going to push to play' for Eagles against Saints

Jalen Hurts will push to return for the Philadelphia Eagles in their Week 17 contest against the New Orleans Saints, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Hurts watched his team drop a 40-34 game to the Dallas Cowboys as Philadelphia failed to clinch the NFC East and No. 1 seed.

Gardner Minshew subbed in for Hurts and played valiantly, but four turnovers plagued the Eagles in the loss to the Cowboys. Had Philadelphia won and wrapped up the top seed at 14-1, Hurts would’ve been sidelined regardless against the Saints, according to Rapoport.

The Philadelphia Eagles lost this past weekend,” Rapoport said. “Had they won, no way we would see Jalen Hurts this week against New Orleans Saints. The fact they lost means the No. 1 seed is still out there … 

“There is a possibility that we see Jalen Hurts this weekend. It’s an SC joint sprain. It’s a day to day injury, not considered to be a major one and you know guys that he is going to push to play to be out there with his team to try to clinch the No. 1 seed.”

Hurts injured his shoulder against the Chicago Bears in a 25-20 win. Hurts was 22-of-37 passing for 315 yards, two interceptions, 61 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. On the season, Hurts has 3,472 yards, 22 touchdowns, five interceptions, a 67.3% completion percentage, 747 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns.

Eagles’ No. 1 seed chances

With the Eagles at 13-2, the team has a two game lead over the Cowboys for the top spot in the NFC East and No. 1 seed. Philadelphia is a game ahead of the Minnesota Vikings as well within the NFC, but hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Currently, Dallas has a 4-1 record within the division while the Eagles sit at 3-2 with a game against the Giants remaining in Week 18. The Cowboys play the Washington Commanders the final week, should it come down to that in the event of an Eagles’ loss to the Saints Sunday.

Gardner Minshew filled in for Hurts against Dallas in a shootout loss. In his first start of the year, Minshew finished 24-of-40 passing for 355 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. 

The Eagles held a 34-27 lead but saw the Cowboys score the final 13 points.

“Right now, I can feel the temperature in the locker room and the players and I think this is a really pissed-off team right now,” Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox said. “We didn’t like the outcome of what went on today. We know the type of club that we are and I think this team is really pissed off.”

The Eagles head to New Orleans Sunday Jan. 1 needing just a win for the No. 1 overall seed and NFC East crown. Dallas’ slim division title hopes are alive as the Cowboys head to Tennessee for a date with the Titans Thursday Dec. 29.