Why are the Eagles resting Jalen Hurts, other starters vs. Cowboys?

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The Eagles might be playing under the bright lights of a prime-time showdown on Saturday, but you won’t see the best of them at work.

Philadelphia secured a spot in the NFC playoffs last week, and while it does have a Week 18 showdown against the NFC East champion and rivals the Cowboys, it has little incentive to go full-force broadcasting. ESPN.

Why are the Eagles playing so short and who will be sitting? Sporting News looks at who won’t suit for the game and why Philadelphia made those decisions.

Why is Jalen Hurts out against the Cowboys?

Philadelphia’s most renowned player on the bench Saturday night is quarterback Jalen Hurts.

In his first full season as the team’s starter, Hurts has been invaluable as a double threat. He has completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 3,144 yards, with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 784 yards on 139 carries and scored 10 touchdowns. Both yards and touchdowns lead the team.

Given how valuable he is to the Philadelphia offense, the team evidently decided it was not worth risking his health before the playoffs in a relatively meaningless game. The Eagles enter Saturday as the No. 7 seed in the NFC and can only reach No. 6 in Week 18.

Philadelphia could rise to No. 6 by winning or losing. If he wins, he just needs the 49ers to lose to the Rams on Sunday. If the Eagles lose, they would need the 49ers to lose and the Saints to defeat the Falcons to move up to No. 6. If the Eagles, 49ers and Saints lose, then Philadelphia will stay at No. 7.

The Eagles entered Saturday No. 1 in rushing offense with 2,566 yards on 517 carries and 24 rushing touchdowns, the best in the league.

Who else are resting Eagles vs. Cowboys?

Hurts isn’t the only Eagle sitting Saturday night.

Philadelphia announced before the game, running back Miles Sanders and several defensive starters were out. Sanders broke his hand in week 16, but the team hopes he’s ready for the wild card round.

Here’s the full list of players the Eagles posted as inactive for the game:

  • QB Jalen hurts
  • RB miles sanders
  • t lane johnson
  • OL Landon Dickerson
  • CB Darío Matar
  • CB Steven Nelson
  • s anthony harris
  • FROM Josh Sweat
  • Derek Barnett
  • DT Javon Hargrave

Veteran Cowboys beating reporter Clarence Hill tweeted that 16 Eagles starters in total will miss the game. He pointed to tight end Dallas Goedert and defensive lineman Fletcher Cox, who, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer, are among 11 players on the Eagles’ COVID-19 reserve roster.

The Cowboys’ inactive list wasn’t that long, but it included notable players like cornerback Trevon Diggs and running back Tony Pollard.