Eagles QB Jalen Hurts’ status in doubt for Christmas Eve matchup vs Cowboys

What appeared just one or two weeks ago to be a massive matchup with NFC playoff positioning at stake has lost a little bit of it Christmas shine. The Dallas Cowboys hosting the Philadelphia Eagles on Christmas Eve in Week 16, with both teams poised to be playoff contenders, possessed all the storylines in the world. Until it sort of didn’t.

With three games to go, the Eagles all but have the NFC East wrapped up, while the Cowboys have their playoff spot clinched. Dallas currently sits as the No. 5 seed, holding a two-game advantage with just three to go. Unfortunately, both teams are battling the attrition of the NFL.

Per reports on Monday, Eagles QB Jalen Hurts’ status is now in doubt with a shoulder injury suffered against the Chicago Bears. The Eagles may have been more enticed to bring Hurts back if the NFC East race was a bit closer, but all signs point to Philly giving the MVP candidate a week of rest (at least) before the playoffs.

Cowboys vs Eagles Injury Report: Jalen Hurts shoulder injury

This thrusts Gardner Minshew in as the Eagles’ quarterback on Saturday afternoon for this matchup. A bit of a familiar foe, he faced the Cowboys last season when filling in for Hurts, throwing for 186 yards on a 19-of-33 performance that featured two touchdowns and an interception … oh, and it all came in a 51-26 loss.

The reality of this game is that each team is close to locking in their playoff seeding, and while it is a bitter divisional rivalry, both squads have much bigger aspirations than a win on Christmas Eve. This may lead to some individuals taking a rest, or getting split reps to preserve them for the playoffs.

The Eagles need to get one more win, and they may eyeing Hurts’ return against the New Orleans Saints, a team they take on in Week 17. That matchup matters to the Eagles, in regard to draft picks. The Eagles currently hold the Saints’ 2023 first-round draft pick, and have some extra incentive to beat them in order to improve that pick.

With Hurts out, it could be a welcome chance for Dan Quinn’s defense to figure some things out and get back to applying pressure to the quarterback. Micah Parsons & Co. could desperately use a strong showing to get back to the unit they were earlier in the year.

Coming off of a lackluster performance against the Jaguars, catching a backup quarterback late in the year could be the stocking stuffer that the Cowboys need to get their swagger back on defense.

Cowboys studs and duds Week 15: Potential win falls through Noah Brown’s hands

The Dallas Cowboys fell apart in a Week 15 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars as a possible win fell right out of Noah Brown's hands in overtime