Eagles’ Hurts downgraded after illness worsens

Adam Schefter, ESPN Senior WriterDec 17, 2023, 11:26 AM ET
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- Former president of the Pro Football Writers of America and the author of four books

The Philadelphia Eagles have downgraded Jalen Hurts to questionable for Monday night’s game against the Seattle Seahawks after the quarterback’s sickness worsened overnight, the team announced Sunday.

Hurts still hopes to play and is traveling to Seattle separately from the team to try to avoid getting anyone else sick.

If Hurts is unable to play, the Eagles would turn to backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. There also are no assurances on the playing status of Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, who is questionable with a groin injury.

Hurts’ chances of playing in Seattle were improved by the flexing of Eagles-Seahawks to “Monday Night Football” instead of the originally scheduled game between the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots. If the Eagles-Seahawks game were played Sunday as originally planned, Hurts would have had a tougher time playing.

Hurts, 25, did not practice Saturday. The 2022 Pro Bowler has passed for 3,192 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and has scored 12 rushing touchdowns this season, tied for the second most in the NFL.

The Eagles (10-3) hope to have Hurts under center Monday night against the reeling Seahawks (6-7), who have lost four straight games and started Drew Lock at quarterback last week with Smith sidelined.