Crystal Pouncey
Jan 08, 2024 - 03:05

Bucs vs Eagles: Jalen Hurts and his mangled middle finger

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts suffers gruesome injury, but optimistic for playoffs; other injuries plague team ahead of postseason.

Jalen Hurts suffered a gruesome injury to the right middle finger on his throwing hand, describing it as "popping out." The injury occurred during the Eagles' loss to the New York Giants, which resulted in a 1-5 finish for the regular season. Despite the injury, Hurts is taking it "day by day" ahead of the NFC wild-card playoff game against Tampa Bay.

The quarterback did not wear any protective wrap on his finger after the game, indicating his determination to continue playing. This is a concerning development for the Eagles, as Hurts joins a growing list of players with injury concerns ahead of the postseason.

In addition to Hurts, wide receiver A.J. Brown also suffered an injury to his right knee during the game. However, he did not appear to be using crutches or a brace, providing a glimmer of hope for his availability in the upcoming playoff game.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni expressed hope that both players would recover in time for the playoffs, but acknowledged that the team will have to wait and see how their injuries progress.

The injuries did not stop with Hurts and Brown. Key offensive line starters Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson were pulled from the game, indicating the toll that injuries have taken on the Eagles. The team was also without several other starters, including DeVonta Smith, Darius Slay, D'Andre Swift, and Fletcher Cox, as they battled for a playoff seed.

The Giants also faced their own injury challenges, with quarterback Tyrod Taylor and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt both leaving the game due to injuries.

Despite the setbacks, the Eagles secured the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoffs. As they prepare to face Tampa Bay, the team will need to overcome their injury concerns and rally together for a strong postseason performance. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, the Eagles will need all hands on deck to advance in the playoffs.