LANDOVER, Md. − Jalen Hurts was ordered to leave the game to be evaluated for a concussion in the first quarter.
Kenny Pickett took over and finished out the touchdown drive with a 3-yard pass to AJ Brown, giving the Eagles a 14-0 lead with 7:08 left in the first quarter.
Hurts was later ruled out, making it the first time this season that Hurts is missing more than a play because of injury. After the game, a 36-33 loss Sunday against the Commanders, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said he didn’t have an update on Hurts.
Pickett finished out the game, but he nearly left with a rib injury on an incomplete pass on a 2nd-and-14 in the fourth quarter. Pickett fell forward as he barely flicked his wrist to get the pass off.
Pickett said he’ll get tests on his ribs Monday. Tanner McKee was the emergency quarterback.
“Things like that happen in a game,” Pickett said. “You just gather yourself, focus on the next play, channel all the energy toward that and you’ll be fine.”
Hurts was hurt on a 13-yard run up the middle when he was hit in the head by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu as he dove to the Commanders’ 21. The referee ordered Hurts to leave the game, but he refused and went back to the huddle.
He was ordered again to come off, and he did.
Hurts went into the medical tent, then came out of it, appearing as he was ready to return, as the Eagles reached Washington’s 3 yard line. Instead of going back into the game, Hurts went back to the tent, then the locker room.
“We were concerned,” wide receiver A.J. Brown said. “We really didn’t want him to go back in and hurt himself. But he’s a competitor, and he tried to fight through it.”
Hurts was ruled out in the second quarter, as was running back Will Shipley, who was evaluated for a concussion shortly after.
Eagles edge rusher Josh Sweat went to the locker room midway through the second quarter with an ankle injury. He’s questionable to return. That leaves Nolan Smith, rookie Jalyx Hunt and recent signee Chuck Harris at edge rusher.
Sweat returned late in the second quarter.
He was followed shortly thereafter by defensive tackle Jordan Davis, who appeared to suffer a leg injury with about 4 minutes left in the second quarter. There was no update yet on his status. Davis returned to start the second half.
Hurts also left the game to be evaluated for a concussion late in the first half of the first meeting against Washington on Nov. 14. Hurts didn’t miss a play in that game. Hurts has also been dealing with a broken left finger.
Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.
