NFL insider drops optimistic update on Jalen Hurts as Eagles QB rehabs to return for NFC title showdown

NFL insider Sal Paolantonio offered an optimistic update on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts ahead of the team's NFC Championship game this weekend.

Paolantonio joined "NFL Live on ESPN" on Thursday, after observing Eagles practice, he witnessed Hurts trying to get "ready to go," stretching out his injured knee, not trying to overdo things.

"Here's what I saw today at practice. Just a little while ago. They're still on the practice field — What I see is a quarterback trying to get ready to go. He is stretching the knee, left knee. He's definitely a little bit stiff. He's moving gingerly. He's not trying to overdo it. He's trying to put some pressure on that left knee, shift his weight, deliver the football. We're not seeing much practice, just a little bit of warm up."

Hurts was injured late in the third quarter of the Eagles' Divisional Round victory over the Los Angeles Rams this past weekend. He only completed three short passes after the left knee injury and had a rushing attempt for negative yardage. The Eagles managed to escape that game against the Rams with a 28-22 victory, punching their ticket to the NFC Conference Championship against the Washington Commanders.

However, Hurts will need to be a lot more mobile against the Commanders, who have done an excellent job of rushing the passer this postseason. Washington is also coming into Philadelphia riding high off of a big victory against the Detroit Lions, who many favored to win the Super Bowl outright. Washington ended the Lions' season with a 45-31 victory.

Jalen Hurts looking for first Super Bowl win

As for Hurts and the Eagles, after capturing the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, Philadelphia is hoping to win their second Super Bowl in six years, as they won the Lombardi Trophy in 2017 before Hurts took the reins. The Eagles also played in the Super Bowl in 2023, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs 38-35.

Now, Hurts is hoping to return to the big stage yet again to cap off this season, hopefully in healthy form, to earn the first Super Bowl ring of his career. Of course, he and the Eagles will need to get past a hungry underdog squad in the Commanders before booking any flights to New Orleans.

The Philadelphia Eagles will host the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship game this Sunday (January 26, 2024) at Lincoln Financial Field.