Nick Sirianni reveals Jalen Hurts to miss Dallas game, Gardner Minshew to start

With the Philadelphia Eagles attempting to officially clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC on Saturday versus the Dallas Cowboys, it looks like they will have to get it done without starting quarterback Jalen Hurts. The No. 1 seed and a division title would send the Eagles into the postseason with momentum and home-field advantage.

Hurts is dealing with a shoulder injury and though he “tried like crazy” to get clearance, head coach Nick Sirianni shared on Thursday morning that backup Gardner Minshew will be the starter for the Christmas Eve matchup in AT&T Stadium.

“It’s looking like it’s going to be Gardner,” Sirianni said. “Jalen did everything he possibly could to get his body ready and just at the end of the day, he’s just not going to be able to do it. He tried like crazy. Jalen Hurts is the toughest player I’ve ever been around.”

The former Oklahoma and Alabama quarterback’s status has been a major question for the Eagles this week. However, with the stakes as they are and a playoff appearance already on the schedule, Sirianni shared that the team didn’t want to risk Hurts’ health for the sake of one game.

“He’s disappointed because he wants to play,” Sirianni said. “But we have to do what’s best as an organization to put us in a safe spot because he will play through anything. Those are hard conversations we have to have sometimes.”

Gardner Minshew to start versus Cowboys

Gardner Minshew has an appearance versus the Cowboys on his resume. With both teams playing several backups last season, Minshew quarterbacked the Eagles to a 51-26 loss. He threw 19 of 33 completions for 186 yards, two touchdowns and an interception last January.

Hurts suffered the sprained right shoulder last week in the team’s loss to the Chicago Bears. He took a hit and went into the ground following a 3-yard run. 

The 2020 second-round draft pick is having the best season of his career so far. He has 3,472 passing yards and 747 rushing yards in 14 games. He has had just five picks and boasts a 67.3% completion rate.

Dallas and Philadelphia kickoff in AT&T Stadium at 4:25 p.m. ET on Saturday.