HURTS LIKELY OUT FOR DALLAS GAME, MINSHEW TO SUB
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is not expected to play Saturday because of a sprained right shoulder, putting Gardner Minshew in line to start against the Dallas Cowboys.
Hurts was injured on a hard tackle during Sunday’s win at Chicago. The
Eagles have the best record in the
NFL at 13-1 and would clinch the
NFC East title and the No. 1 seed in the conference with a win against the Cowboys.
“It’s looking like it’s going to be Gardner,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Thursday.
The 24-year-old Hurts said he grasped he was injured the moment he was tackled by defensive tackle Travis Gipson. He stayed in the game and went 7-of-10 passing for 110 yards — and hit wide receiver A.J. Brown for a 68-yard reception.
“He’s disappointed because he wants to play. He’s the toughest guy I know,” Sirianni said. “We have to do what’s best as an organization to put him in a safe spot.”
Return of Chase Young
Chase Young will make his long-awaited comeback in a Saturday matchup with the 49ers that carries significant playoff implications for the Commanders.
The No. 2 pick and defensive rookie of the year in 2020 missed the past 22 games because of a torn ACL and ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee. Young suffered the injury in 2021 in Week 10 and promptly underwent surgery.
Before the Commanders’ loss to the Giants last Sunday at FedEx Field, Young met with Dr. James Andrews, his surgeon, and received assurance his knee was fine.
“I think seeing Dr. Andrews was probably the last, final thing, just to get him over the hump,” coach Ron Rivera said Thursday. “(Young) practiced with confidence. He showed us he was willing to stick that leg in the ground and roll off if it, plant it and cut off of it.”
Young will play limited snaps Saturday to minimize the risk of reinjury. Young said Wednesday he “definitely” felt different this week.
“I want to play with my brothers who are out there fighting,” he said.
Tannehill out, Willis in
Tennessee rookie Malik Willis will start his third NFL game Saturday against the Texans with veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill ruled out with an injured right ankle.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel refused to discuss Tannehill’s future beyond this game. “Just out this week,” Vrabel said Thursday. “I don’t have to issue an injury report for next week until next week.”
Notable
Lamar Jackson was ruled out for a third straight game because of a knee injury sustained in a win over Denver on Dec. 4.
Backup Tyler Huntley is listed as questionable for against Atlanta because of right shoulder issues, but coach John Harbaugh said he is likely to start.
“Just was a little sore,” Huntley said.
Steelers rookie quarter back Kenny Pickett, coming back from his second concussion of the season, will wear a larger helmet when the Steelers host the Raiders.
The new helmet offers a little more protection for the back of Pickett’s head.
“Slamming my head on the ground is what has been the issue,” he said. “(The new helmet) has (more protection) in the back, which I think will help.”
The NFL has announced a multiyear agreement with Google for “NFL Sunday Ticket.”
The package of out-ofmarket Sunday afternoon games will be distributed on YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels.
The NFL was seeking $2.5 billion per season for the package, which has been on DirecTV since 1994.