What happened to Josh Sweat? Injury update for the Eagles DE

Josh Sweat was hit severely a few minutes into the New Year's Day matchup versus the New Orleans Saints. This occurred on the game's opening offensive drive for New Orleans. Medics treated him for some time, and as they worked on him, players from both sides took a knee.

Sweat was attempting to tackle fullback Adam Prentice when he sustained the injury. Ndamukong Suh lost balance and fell on Sweat's neck and shoulder region as he bowed his head to make side contact with Prentice. A stretcher was used to transport Sweat from the pitch four minutes after the incident.

Based on the team's report, Sweat was taken to a nearby hospital and was able to move his extremities. It was a worrying scene, but it appears he may have avoided serious injury.

Josh Sweat has really broken out this season. He raised his game following a good 2021 campaign when he was selected for his first Pro Bowl. Before suffering the neck injury, Sweat had 11 sacks, 23 quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and a touchdown-returning interception this season. He is one of four players in a 13-3 Eagles squad with nine or more sacks.

Sweat barely missed making it to his second consecutive Pro Bowl this season, and many analysts believe he was unfairly passed up.

The fourth-round pick out of Florida State in 2018 has started all of the Eagles' 16 league matches this season. After suffering injuries to Jalen Hurts, Avonte Maddox, Lane Johnson, and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Eagles are now short of five starters with Sweat's loss.

Due to their 20-10 loss on Sunday, the Eagles will not be guaranteed either the NFC East or the top spot in the NFC going into the season's last game next week.

When will Josh Sweat return?

The path is open for one of the league's best pass rushers to make a playoff comeback, even though it was a terrible injury to witness. Josh Sweat announced his intention to return soon in a tweet on Sunday night.

As to whether that will be possible this week is another matter. The return timeline for Sweat is not yet clear and although the signs are positive, it remains to be seen how soon he will be back. The full extent of the injury will likely be revealed in the coming days and a clearer image of the situation will emerge.

The injury curse has plagued the Philadelphia Eagles over the past few weeks. The good news is that it appears Josh Sweat will be back soon and quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to return for the final week of the season. The Eagles face the New York Giants in Week 18, where both the NFC East division and the NFC Conference top seed will be on the line.