Jalen Hurts is set to play in the second NFC Championship Game of his career -- banged-up knee or not.
Hurts is off the Philadelphia Eagles' injury report and will start Sunday against the Washington Commanders in the conference title game.
Beginning the week listed as a limited participant in the team's Wednesday walkthrough, Hurts said he was on track to play and progressing. He was back to being a full participant through Friday and is now good to go for an NFC title tilt against the rival Commanders. The Philly QB said Friday he anticipates wearing a brace on his knee on Sunday.
In the Eagles' Divisional Round win over the Los Angeles Rams, Hurts was bent over backward and dinged up his knee. The fifth-year pro didn't miss a snap, but he was definitely missing a step.
In the 43 snaps before injuring his knee in the third quarter, Hurts threw for 109 yards and ran for 71. In the 18 after, he threw for 18 yards and ran for negative-1.
In total, Hurts was sacked a career-high seven times against the Rams and during two playoff games has been pressured on 44.4% of his dropbacks, per Next Gen Stats, which is more than an 11% increase from the regular season. In those two postseason wins, Hurts has completed 28 of just 41 passes (68%) for 259 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, and carried the ball 13 times for 106 yards and a score.
How or if Hurts' mobility is affected against Washington will be a major storyline in the teams' matchup.
The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback will be aiming to help the Eagles to their second Super Bowl berth during his career.
Hurts is now slated for his eighth playoff start and his third meeting with the Commanders this season. He was injured during Philadelphia's Week 16 loss to Washington, sustaining a concussion that sidelined him for the following two games.
Philadelphia lost Hurts early in its defeat to Washington, underscoring how pivotal his presence is in this one.
Including the Week 16 matchup, Hurts is 6-3 in his career against the Commanders with 18 total touchdowns.
None have been as important as Sunday's NFC Championship Game, however.
Hurts and the Eagles will kick off against the visiting Commanders at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday.
