Jalen Hurts Clears Concussion Protocol, Will Start for Eagles vs. Packers in Playoffs

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts officially cleared concussion protocol and will start the team's NFC Wild Card Round playoff game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters on Friday.

Hurts suffered a concussion on a quarterback draw in the first quarter of his team's 36-33 loss at the Washington Commanders on Dec. 22. He did not practice or play either of the next two weeks, although the Eagles rested their starters in the latter game, a 20-13 regular-season-closing win against the New York Giants on Jan. 5.

The 14-3 Eagles earned the NFC's second seed and a home date with the Packers for a Wild Card Round game. Per the practice report, Hurts turned in a limited practice on Wednesday before a full practice on Thursday.

Hurts has also been playing with a broken ring finger on his left hand.

For the season, Hurts accounted for 32 touchdowns (18 passing, 14 rushing), 2,903 passing yards and 630 rushing yards. The Eagles also went 12-2 in games that Hurts started before the Commanders game.

Philly has largely leaned on running back Saquon Barkley and the rushing attack this season, as Barkley led the NFL with 2,005 rushing yards and became only the ninth player in NFL history to rush for at least 2,000 yards in a season.

Even though the passing game took a back seat, Hurts' return is a huge win for the Eagles thanks to his five games of starting experience in the playoffs, including a trip to the Super Bowl in 2022.