NFL News, Injury Updates: Jalen Hurts out of Week 16 loss with concussion, Josh Allen loses feeling throwing hand

On By Littum

The NFC playoff chase took a dynamic turn when the Washington Commanders claimed a statement 36-33 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16. The win kept Washington in the hunt for an NFC East title, and the loss nearly dashed any hopes Philadelphia had of the NFC’s no. 1 seed.

But the Eagles may have lost more than that after starting quarterback Jalen Hurts was knocked out with a concussion and backup Kenny Pickett suffered a rib injury in the loss. Losing Hurts for any amount of time would be a massive blow to the Eagles, but Pickett’s missing time could also put a division title — and possibly more — in serious jeopardy.

Elsewhere in the league on the injury front, Josh Allen suffered a hand injury in the Bills’ win over the Patriots, and looking ahead to Christmas Day, the Steelers could get George Pickens back, just in time for a visit from 14-1. The Kansas City Chiefs, who will try to lock up the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a Christmas win.

As you may recall, Carson Wentz had the inside track to the 2017 NFL MVP award when a late-season injury cost him the rest of the year. A few improbable wins and a “Philly Special” later, and backup Nick Foles was the toast of the town, helping bring the Eagles their first and only Super Bowl title. After Jalen Hurts went down Sunday in Washington, Kenny Pickett filled in and nearly helped Philly run their winning streak to 10. Now, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the Eagles’ quarterback room coming out of Week 16.

Coach Nick Sirianni cconfirmed it on Monday Injuries remain in the concussion protocolwhich leaves his status in doubt as the Cowboys look ahead to Week 17 against the Cowboys. Pickett had X-rays after the game, and while he didn’t reveal what they found, he told reporters he thinks he’ll be ready for next week.

After Buffalo improved to 12-3 with its comeback win over the Patriots, Josh Allen told CBS Sports he had “no feeling” in his right hand during the game after taking a helmet to his throwing elbow. He finished the game 16-for-29 for 154 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception. The Bills have already won the AFC East and would need two Chiefs losses to have a shot at the No. 1 seed, which Kansas City can lock up on Christmas Day with a win, while the Bills don’t play until Sunday in Week 17 (vs. Jets).

What a Christmas present that would be in Pittsburgh. The Steelers’ leading receiver has missed the team’s past three games with a hamstring injury, and the club has lost two of three, including a Saturday loss to Baltimore. Pittsburgh could have won the AFC North in that game, but now the road is a little more difficult. If the Steelers win, they will clinch the division, but that would mean knocking off the back-to-back defending champion Chiefs. Having Pickens back — and possibly Larry Ogunjobi, Donte Jackson and DeShon Elliott as well — could go a long way toward winning the division for the eighth time under Mike Tomlin.

Live9 updates

  • Steelers WR George Pickens fully participates in Monday’s practice

    Pickens has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury. He leads the team in receptions (55), targets (90), receiving yards (850) and has scored three touchdowns this season.

    The Steelers have a quick turnaround after Saturday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens. They will host the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday, Christmas Day, at home at 1 p.m. ET.

  • Nick Sirianni confirms Jalen Hurts is in concussion protocol

    Eagles coach Nick Sirianni had no medical updates on injured quarterback Jalen Hurts after Sunday’s loss to the Commanders, but confirmed Monday that Injuries remain in the concussion protocol after injuring his head against Washington.

    The Eagles finished the game with backup Kenny Pickett at quarterback and lost to fall one game behind the Lions and Vikings in the race for the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. Hurts’ status will continue to be of great interest as the Eagles prepare to face the Cowboys on Sunday.

  • NFL bends Cowboys-Eagles to Vikings-Packers

    While America’s Team gets the boot, the NFL made the right move here. The Cowboys-Eagles game, set for Sunday, now starts at 1 p.m. ET. The Packers-Vikings game — which will have serious playoff and NFC North implications — will take its place in the 4:35 PM ET slot.

  • Tank Dell dislocated knee, torn ACL

    After his gruesome injury in their loss to the Chiefs, Texans wide receiver Tank Dell is set for surgery and a long recovery. He sprained his knee, tore his ACL and more, head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed Monday.

    He is out for the rest of the year and will now start working on recovering in time for the start of next season. Dell, in his second season in the league, finished with 667 receiving yards and three touchdowns on a career-high 51 receptions.

  • The Packers are activating TE Luke Musgrave from IR for Monday’s game against the Saints

    Tight end Luke Musgrave, who has not played since Week 4, will be activated by the Green Bay Packers for their Monday night game with the New Orleans Saints.

    Musgrave, 24, injured his ankle when it got stuck under players during a tackle and eventually required surgery for a torn ligament.

    Last season, the tight end appeared in 11 games (starting nine), catching 34 passes (on 46 targets) for 352 yards and a touchdown. Before his injury, Musgrave had five receptions for 22 yards.

  • Lions players were ecstatic after the Eagles lost to the Commanders

    After the Lions’ win over the Bears on Sunday, the Detroit players in the locker room turned their attention to the Eagles-Commanders game, which was coming to an end shortly after they finished their game.

    How do we know? Just listen to what happens in this clip of head coach Dan Campbell speaking to the media. You can hear Lions players celebrating in the background as the Eagles lost on a last minute Commanders touchdown. With a win, the Eagles could have clinched the NFC East and made solid progress toward securing the No. 1 seed (and get that all-important bye).

    But Philly’s 36-33 loss makes it much easier for Detroit to sew up the No. 1 seed up, and their players weren’t shy about expressing their joy.

  • Bears OT Braxton Jones has broken ankle

    Braxton Jones of the Bears was carted off Sunday during their loss to the Lions. According to Ian Rapoport, the offensive tackle has a broken fibula, though he luckily avoided breaking his tibia as well. He should be back long before training camp.

  • What did Joe Burrow think of his improbable TD pass to Tee Higgins?

    Joe Burrow talked about the incredible pass after the Bengals’ 24-6 win over the Browns, and he had no idea how he had pulled it off.

    “I was parallel. I don’t know how I threw it, but it was pretty cool,” Burrow said.

    He then followed up by giving full credit to Tee Higgins for being so open.

    “I’ve got to do a better job of just picking my feet up in the pocket,” he said. “I don’t know how Tee got that open. I’ll have to watch it on tape, but he obviously ran a great route and saw him open enough to try that throw and was able to make it.”

  • Tee Higgins: Joe Burrow ‘looked like Superman’ when he threw a wild TD pass

    One of the more incredible touchdowns on Sunday came from Bengals QB Joe Burrow. He threw – or threw? – a pass to Tee Higgins as he fell, which Higgins caught for a TD.

    Higgins was asked about that TD after the game, but first let’s take a look at the wild play.

    So what did Higgins say about Burrow and that touchdown pass?

    “Grandpa looked like Superman when he threw it. I’ll call him Superman from now on. F*** Batman. Superman.”