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As It Happened

Eagles news: Jalen Hurts, Quinyon Mitchell limited in practice; Barkley eyes two old NFL records; Philly mayor jokes about botched Birds chant

The Eagles won't hold a full practice until tomorrow, making today's injury report an estimation.

Jalen Hurts appeared to injure his knee during last weekend's win. He is expected to play Sunday against the Commanders.
Jalen Hurts appeared to injure his knee during last weekend's win. He is expected to play Sunday against the Commanders.Read more
Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
What you should know

  1. The Eagles will host the Washington Commanders in the NFC championship game at the Linc on Sunday at 3 p.m. on Fox. The winner will move on to Super Bowl LIX.

  2. Jalen Hurts and Quinyon Mitchell were both limited participants in Wednesday's walkthrough.

  3. Eagles-Commanders matchups: Two Eagles game-changers have an edge. Will they be the difference?

  4. Disgraced gambler Isaiah Rodgers helped save the Eagles’ season.

  5. Birdle, our daily Eagles-themed word day.

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Jalen Hurts, Quinyon Mitchell both limited participants in Wednesday's practice

Here is the Eagles injury report for Wednesday's Eagles practice. Note: The Eagles held a walkthrough, making today's report an estimation.

Did not practice – TE Dallas Goedert (ankle), C Cam Jurgens (back)

Limited – WR AJ Brown (knee/rest), WR Britain Covey (neck), QB Jalen Hurts (knee), T Lane Johnson (knee/rest), CB Quinyon Mitchell (shoulder), OLB Josh Sweat (ankle/rest)

Saquon Barkley up for NFL MVP, along with other Eagles finalists

Several Eagles players and coaches were named finalists for regular season individual awards by the Associated Press that will be announced Super Bowl week:

  1. MVP and Offensive Player of the Year: Saquon Barkley, running back

  2. Defensive Player of the Year: Zack Baun, linebacker

  3. Assistant Coach of the Year: Vic Fangio, defensive coordinator

All five were acquired this past offseason, which speaks to general manager Howie Roseman’s influence on the team’s success, from roster building to hiring Fangio.

Barkley faces stiff competition in the MVP race, with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson among the favorites. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff were also MVP finalists.

Jalen Hurts confident he can play without limitation vs. Commanders

Eagles open practice window for Britain Covey

The Eagles opened the 21-day practice window for Britain Covey on Wednesday. The 27-year-old wide receiver and punt return specialist has been on injured reserve for the last month with a neck injury.

By opening his practice window, the Eagles are making the first step toward his activation from injured reserve. He could return to action as early as Sunday’s NFC championship game against the Washington Commanders if the team decides he is ready to play. If not, Covey could still be activated in time for the Super Bowl if the Eagles advance.

Covey, the 2022 undrafted free agent out of Utah, has spent two stints on injured reserve this season. He was initially sidelined due to a broken shoulder blade sustained against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3. Covey returned in Week 12, but he was inactive two weeks later with the neck injury for the next three games until he went on injured reserve again on Dec. 28.

Jets hire Lions DC Aaron Glenn as next head coach: reports

Saquon Barkley named Pro Football Writers offensive player of the year

Jalen Hurts, Quinyon Mitchell to participate in team's walkthrough

Both Jalen Hurts and rookie defensive back Quinyon Mitchell will participate in the team's walkthrough Wednesday, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters.

Sirianni didn't explain why the team opted to hold a walkthrough rather than a full practice Wednesday, other than to say he felt it was best for the team.

— Rob Tornoe

Watch: Nick Sirianni speaks to reporters

Eagles practice schedule

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni will speak to reporters at 12:30 p.m. today ahead of a team walkthrough at 3:10 p.m. 

The Birds’ first full practice ahead of the NFC championship game will take place Thursday at Lincoln Financial Field at 2:25 p.m. The team will also practice at the Linc Friday at 1:10 p.m. 

— Rob Tornoe

Lions reportedly lose another coach

Eagles injury report: Latest on Jalen Hurts

Here's the latest Eagles injury news with the Birds scheduled to have a walkthrough Wednesday afternoon:

  1. Jalen Hurts, quarterback: Hurts appeared to injury his left knee during the win over the Rams. Head coach Nick Sirianni said Hurts will participate in Wednesday's walkthrough but didn't offer any information about his status.

  2. Quinyon Mitchell, cornerback: Mitchell left the game halfway through the first quarter with a right shoulder injury. He did not return, but said after the game he "should be good" for Sunday's game. Mitchell will also participate in today's walkthrough, Sirianni said.

  3. Brandon Graham, defensive end: Graham suffered a tricep injury in Week 12 against the Rams that ended his season, but hinted Tuesday he could play if the Eagles make it to the Super Bowl.

— Rob Tornoe

Philly Mayor Cherelle L. Parker jokes about messing up Eagles chant

At least Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has a sense of humor.

Philadelphia's mayor poked fun at herself Tuesday after her botched Eagles chant was shared widely on social media.

“We don’t promise perfection. I’m so happy that I never have,” Parker said Tuesday at a news conference to announce a new "wellness court" in Kensington. “Especially after I couldn’t spell Eagles right.” 

Saquon Barkley could break a nearly 30-year-old NFL record Sunday

Saquon Barkley has his eyes on the Super Bowl, but the Eagles running back could end up breaking some longstanding NFL records on his way to New Orleans. 

Barkley needs 148 rushing yards to break the NFL record for most rushing yards in a single season, set by Hall of Fame Terrell in 1998. That season Davis ran for a total of 2,476 yards between the regular season, two playoff games and Super Bowl XXXIII (the Denver Broncos had a first-round bye). 

In two games against the Commanders poorly-ranked run defense this season, Barkley rushed for a combined 296 yards, which averages out to 148 yards per game. 

Sielski: The Eagles are trying to win a Super Bowl in an unusual way

It’s the question that has defined most of the Eagles’ season and their entire postseason: Can they keep winning like this? Everyone acknowledges that when it comes to the Eagles’ Super Bowl chances, that question cuts to the core of the matter. But there’s some murkiness in the last bit of it. That is, what does like this actually mean?

Based on the way Jalen Hurts performed against the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round and the Packers in the wild-card round, like this means Can they keep winning with a quarterback who doesn’t turn the ball over but who also struggles to anticipate receivers breaking open, holds the ball too long, and now has a knee injury? Whew. That’s a lot of doubt packed into a couple of four-letter words. But then, there were a lot of four-letter words flying around Lincoln Financial Field late in the third quarter Sunday after Hurts failed to see Dallas Goedert open in the middle of the field and was sacked in the end zone for a safety. So what’s two more?

There’s another way to look at the question, though. You can look at the Eagles in their totality. You can recognize that — even if Hurts was playing splendidly, which he is not, and even if he was healthy, which he may not be for the NFC championship game against the Washington Commanders — they don’t fit the stereotypical profile for a Super Bowl team in the modern NFL.

NFL playoff schedule

After 281 games, the 2024 NFL season comes down to just three remaining match-ups.

While the Eagles will host the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship game, the Buffalo Bills look to defeat Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.

The winners will face off in Super Bowl LIX, which is being played at the Superdome in New Orleans.