Hefty Amount in Store for Eagles Star as Nick Sirianni Confirms Jalen Hurts’ Status and Injury Report for Playoffs

When he first showed up at the NovaCare Complex, he didn’t even know how to strap on a helmet. You think we are kidding? Then you’d be in for a surprise to know that his teammate Landon Dickerson had to help him with his chinstrap. But how times changed for Jordan Mailata. This new honor just added another glory to his career, and some extra in his pocket too.

The Eagles’ left tackle added $500,000 to his paycheck, bumping it to $18.875 million after making the 2nd-Team All-Pro. That’s not bad for a guy who started his NFL journey as a rugby player and was drafted an afterthought in Round 7, picking 233.

Mailata’s been a beast on the field and, let’s face it, probably in the weight room too. Physique of a fridge, strength of an ox, and a voice that could headline a halftime show. Seriously, the man can sing, But Mailata’s story isn’t just about his rise to All-Pro status—it’s about overcoming challenges.

Fast forward a few seasons, and he’s holding down the Eagles’ line like a pro. And while Pro Bowl voters have somehow snubbed him, the Associated Press knows what’s up. Joining Mailata on the All-Pro list are Jalen Carter, Lane Johnson, and A.J. Brown. Talk about squad goals.

Mailata isn’t stopping there, though. “We have a lot more to prove,” he said, reflecting on last year’s rough exit. “Getting eliminated like that was pretty embarrassing… That’s carried over to this year, and we want to make sure 2023 never repeats itself again.” We can’t blame him. That chip on his shoulder isn’t just for show—it’s fueling a hunger across the team.

And Nick Sirianni’s Eagles have spoken up this season. You see, last year they lost five of their last six and limped into the postseason. This year? A franchise-record 10-game winning streak and only three losses. It’s a turnaround that screams a culture shift.

But the work’s not done, rather, it has just started. And while there is a massive boost for Sirianni and Co. ahead of the Packers game, there are a couple of concerns that can halt the progress.

Jalen Hurts is back to save Nick Sirianni, yet again?

Big news out of Philly: Jalen Hurts has cleared concussion protocol. Yep, he’s officially back and ready to roll for Sunday’s wild-card showdown against the Packers. If you’ve been biting your nails wondering whether the Eagles’ QB1 would suit up, you can finally breathe. SIGH!

But Nick Sirianni’s got more than just Hurts’ return to juggle. A.J. Brown’s knee has been acting up, and DeVonta Smith is dealing with back tightness. Both are expected to play, but let’s be real, the Eagles’ Super Bowl dreams rest on these guys staying healthy, and in-sync with their QB.

Now, let’s not pretend Hurts’ postseason resume is spotless. The guy’s 2-3 in playoff games with some mixed results. Remember his rookie playoff game in 2021? A tough loss to Tampa. Fast forward to 2022, and he bounced back big, leading the Eagles to wins in the NFC Divisional and Championship games before falling short against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

Last year, though? Another one-and-done scenario against, yep, Tampa again. Stat-wise, he’s thrown for 1,087 yards, five touchdowns, and two picks in those five games, with an 88.1 passer rating. Not elite, but not bad either. The question is: can Hurts finally flip the script? The vibe in Philly is way different from last year. Lane Johnson summed it up best: “Momentum is definitely on our side this year… we’re loose but [focused].”

The shift in energy is impossible to ignore. Sirianni even threw in a padded practice this week—a bold move for playoff prep—but the players embraced it. Confidence? Through the roof. But let’s talk about Hurts… He’s been out for a couple of weeks, and the narrative is that he might be rusty. Sirianni isn’t buying it. “They’ve got a lot of reps together prior to the last couple of weeks,” he said about Hurts and his receivers. And hey, if there’s one thing we know about Jalen, it’s that he’s built for the big stage.

Sure, his postseason record (2-3) isn’t sparkling, but this is a guy who’s led his team to an NFC Championship and a Super Bowl appearance. You’d bet against him? Bold choice. Now, let’s give Nick Sirianni his flowers. This guy has steered the Eagles through every storm—injuries, roster changes, and even some awkward press conferences. With two 14-win seasons in three years, he’s already made history.

So here we are: Jalen Hurts back under center, the Eagles hosting the Packers, and Philly fans daring to dream about another Super Bowl run. Will Sirianni’s squad keep their focus, or will the injury bug throw them off course? One thing’s for sure—the Eagles aren’t here to just participate. They’re here to win. As Sirianni would say, “We always feel better when Jalen Hurts is on the field.” Well, Nick, so do we.