At a Glance:
Player: Jalen Hurts
Position: Quarterback
Team: Eagles
Injury: Concussion
Projected Recovery Time: TBD
Hurts vs. the Clock: Will He Face the Cowboys?
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts suffered a concussion during Sunday’s matchup against the Washington Commanders, casting doubt on his availability for this weekend’s critical game. The injury occurred early in the first quarter when Hurts was tackled at the end of an 11-yard run to Washington’s 21-yard line by Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner. Although Hurts initially appeared poised to return to the game, he was later escorted to the locker room for evaluation and subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
The Eagles’ coaching staff and medical team are closely monitoring Hurts’ progress as he undergoes the NFL’s concussion protocol, a multi-step process that prioritizes player safety. This includes baseline testing, gradual physical activity, and clearance by an independent neurologist before he can return to practice or game action. His status for Sunday remains uncertain, and the team is preparing for the possibility that backup quarterback Marcus Mariota may step in if Hurts is unavailable.
Hurts’ absence was keenly felt as the Eagles’ offense struggled to find its rhythm without their star signal-caller. Head coach Nick Sirianni emphasized the importance of caution, stating, “Jalen’s health is our top priority. We’re taking it day by day and will follow all protocols to ensure he’s fully ready before stepping back on the field.”
Typical symptoms of concussions include headaches, dizziness, and “feeling foggy”, and early interventions in Tua’s PT program will help him improve his tolerance to moving his head, standing, and performing daily activities. Jalen will also work on strengthening key muscle groups in the neck, as well as addressing vestibular impairments, which are very common with concussions. Vestibular (or inner ear) problems interfere with balance and coordination, and PTs have a variety of exercises to help Jalen improve his stability. As he progresses, the exercises will become more difficult to ensure he can tolerate the demands of professional football. His PTs will know the signs of a poor response to exercise to make sure he isn’t doing too much, and hopefully he will be able to make a full recovery.
Take a look and listen to this video for some of the movements that would be a part of the early, mid, and later phases of a comprehensive concussion rehabilitation program.
Adding to the stakes, the Eagles are set to face their arch-rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, in a high-stakes showdown this Sunday. With playoff positioning on the line, the team is hoping for Hurts’ return to lead them against one of the toughest opponents in their schedule. Fans and teammates alike will be eagerly watching for updates as Hurts works through his rehabilitation process, hoping the dynamic quarterback can lead the Eagles in their playoff push. For now, the team’s focus remains on supporting his recovery and ensuring he returns stronger than ever.
Categorized as: 2024 NFL Blog,3DPT's NFL Injury Review