Even if healthy, Jalen Hurts was likely not going to play in the Philadelphia Eagles’ regular-season finale on Sunday against the New York Giants. Head coach Nick Sirianni indicted this week he would be resting a number of players, including running back Saquon Barkley, as the team is locked into the NFC’s No. 2 seed.
But with the Eagles quarterback yet to practice since suffering a concussion in Week 16, there is concern about his availability for next week’s wild card playoff game. While there is still time for Hurts to recover and suit up, Sirianni isn’t looking that far ahead.
“I’m not sure,” Sirianni said of Hurts’ status for the playoffs. “I don’t think I (can) talk about the protocol. Protocol is what it is. Again, we listen to the doctors, we follow the doctors’ advice in this. They do this by design, so the people that are involved in the concussion protocol are the ones that are handling those things.
“We just take it day by day and see where they are each and every day.”
For the Giants game, Tanner McKee looks likely to get the start as Kenny Pickett deals with a rib injury.
Dolphins preparing for Tua Tagovailoa to miss Jets game
Tyler Huntley looks to be the starter for the Miami Dolphins on Sunday against the New York Jets. The hip injury that kept quarterback Tua Tagovailoa out of Week 17 could cause him to miss Sunday’s game with playoff hopes on the line.
The Dolphins can clinch a playoff berth if they beat the Jets and the Denver Broncos lose to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Tagovailoa has been limited in practice this week.
“He’s being aggressive with his rehab and his approach to get ready to play, but ultimately, we’re just making sure that we put everyone in the best position possible so we can execute and have a great day versus the Jets,” said Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith.
Brock Purdy out for 49ers’ finale
A right elbow contusion with nerve inflammation will keep Brock Purdy out of the 49ers’ game against the Arizona Cardinals. Joshua Dobbs will start in his place.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said there should be no long-term issues with Purdy’s elbow, but now that his season is over the big question left to be answered is whether the team will offer him a massive extension or move on.
The 2022 NFL draft’s “Mr. Irrelevant” will enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2025 and earn a salary raise from $985,000 to $1.1 million. Principal owner Jed York said in March that starting quarterbacks “should be paid a lot of money.” Does he believe that should go for Purdy?
“The nice thing about contracts is when you play at a high level, you can compare yourself to other people in the league,” tight end George Kittle said via ESPN. “And when other guys are getting paid $50 [million to] $60 million and you’re a better quarterback than they are, [it’s] hard not to get that same amount of money.
“The Niners are going to figure something out to be as team-friendly as you possibly can but still reward him for the things that he has done and the things that he’s going to continue to do for this organization.”
Here’s the rest of the Week 18 injury report (players will be added when teams release their reports)
CLEVELAND BROWNS
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WR Cedric Tillman (concussion): out
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RB Jerome Ford (ankle): out
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RB Pierre Strong (concussion): out
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TE David Njoku (knee): out
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LB Jordan Hicks (concussion): out
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CB Denzel Ward (shoulder): out
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TE Blake Whiteheart (knee): questionable
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DT Dalvin Tomlinson (knee): questionable
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WR Mike Woods (knee): questionable
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QB Jameis Winston (right shoulder): questionable
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CB Cameron Mitchell (knee): questionable
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DE Ogbo Okoronkwo (knee): questionable
BALTIMORE RAVENS
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CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring): out
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RB Justice Hill (concussion, illness): out
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TE Charlie Kolar (forearm): questionable
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G Patrick Mekari (illness): questionable
CINCINNATI BENGALS
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DE Sam Hubbard (knee): out
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RB Chase Brown (ankle): 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): questionable
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TE Drew Sample (groin): questionable
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CB Cam Taylor-Britt (ankle): questionable
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
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LB Cole Holcomb (knee): out
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DE Logan Lee (calf): out
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WR Roman Wilson (hamstring): out
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CB Donte Jackson (back): questionable
