Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has returned to practice this week after successfully clearing the concussion protocol, which positions him to play against the Packers on Sunday. However, there is an important aspect that has been somewhat overshadowed by his recovery—the fact that Hurts is still contending with a broken finger on his non-throwing hand.
When news of the injury first came to light, Hurts described his finger as “shattered.” In a recent press conference, he addressed the media for the first time in nearly three weeks, noticeably without any splint or glove covering his injured hand. During this session, observers could see the extent of the damage: the area from the fingertip to the first knuckle exhibited various shades of black and blue, indicating significant bruising.
This injury adds another layer of complexity to his return to play, especially since Hurts has indicated that it has impacted his performance, particularly in relation to a turnover against the Steelers. Fortunately, during his time off, he has had the opportunity to allow his finger some healing and is likely working on adjustments to manage the injury effectively while competing.
With Hurts back on the field and if he can adapt to the limitations caused by his injury, there’s hope that he can perform at a high level despite these challenges. This situation exemplifies the resilience and determination often seen in athletes, particularly at the quarterback position, where every small detail matters in executing plays successfully.