Eagles’ Jalen Hurts likely out vs. Cowboys; Gardner Minshew set to start in Christmas Eve showdown

Gardner Minshew is expected to start for the Philadelphia Eagles this week and has a chance to win the division against the Dallas Cowboys. Eagles head coach Nick Siriani announced the decision Thursday.

“It’s going to be Gardner,” Siriani said. “Jaylen[Harts]did everything he could to prepare his body. After all, he wouldn’t be able to do it. He tried like crazy. He’s the toughest player I’ve ever met.”

The Eagles need to win one of their final three games to take home field advantage with the NFC East in the NFC playoffs. Minshew started one game in place of Hearts last season, recording 20-of-25 passing for 242 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and his 133.7 rating. He also started the Eagles’ Week 18 finale against the Cowboys, but Philadelphia earned a playoff spot and rested the starter.

“Gardner has played a lot of football. He’s smart, he’s a competitive guy who understands the game,” Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen said this week. “I have all the confidence in the world that if Gardner is there, he will go out and perform. Man, we’re ready to go.”

Earlier this week, Siriani admitted that the Hearts suffered a right shoulder sprain in Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears, but did not rule out league MVP contenders for this week’s game against the Cowboys. had an X-ray of his shoulder on Monday, and based on the results, Siriani said the team does not consider the injury to be “long-term.”

“This guy is a great backup quarterback who could start on a team in this league and we know it. He doesn’t need a lot of reps. The football he has Because of his IQ and intelligence, he’s ready to go.

“If he has to go, he can hit the ball, so we have 100 percent confidence in him. He proved that last year. I think I’ve proven.He’s a winner.He’s a winner.That’s all he knows.Does.”

As for Hearts themselves, he told reporters earlier in the week they had a “definite chance” to play on Saturday.

“I take it every day,” Hartz said. “Everybody knows I’m dealing with something. I think it’s pretty public. It’s there. I’m not one to talk about myself. I put everything I have into each day to prepare myself for a really good defense.”

Hurts completed 67.3 percent for 3,472 yards, 22 touchdowns and 5 interceptions (104.6 rating), while rushing for 747 yards and 13 touchdowns. Hearts’ total of 35 touchdowns in a season equaled Randall Cunningham’s franchise record (1990), making him the first quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 800 yards in a season before injury. It was a pace.

The Eagles will face Minshew this week, then reassess the Hearts for their Week 17 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. An extra week of rest will definitely improve your pain.