Philadelphia Eagles QB Hurts Could Miss Rest of the Regular Season

The Philadelphia Eagles have earned themselves a lot of flexibility for the closing stretch of the regular season, and there's a chance they'll make the most of it. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the team could hold out quarterback Jalen Hurts for the final two weeks of their schedule if they can steal a win over the Dallas Cowboys later today.

From @NFLGameDay: #Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, out today with an SC joint sprain, wants to play. But if Philly wins, playing him again in the regular season may not make sense. Either way, expect extreme caution. pic.twitter.com/AvCtrGjDqz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 24, 2022

Hurts is set to miss today's Week 16 matchup with the Cowboys due to an SC joint sprain, but the injury isn't so severe to preclude a return for next week's game against the New Orleans Saints. However, a win today would bring the Eagles' to 14-1 and clinch home-field advantage for the playoffs. If the Eagles have nothing to gain over the final two weeks of the season, they may elect to simply rest Hurts all the way until the Divisional Round.

Hurts has been sensational for the Eagles this year, passing for 3472 yards and rushing for another 747 yards while amassing 35 total touchdowns. However, there's an argument to be made his style of play is especially physically taxing and could wear him down by season's end. Fellow ultra-mobile quarterback Lamar Jackson has consistently struggled in postseason play, winning one of his four starts while absorbing 19 sacks, throwing five interceptions, and fumbling five times.

Resting Hurts may serve the team better in the long run, but it would be a tough pill to swallow for the third-year passer. News that he'd miss this week's game already cost him the top spot in many sportsbook's MVP odds. Fair or not, missing multiple games could very well eliminate him from contention.