NFL news, injury updates: Jalen Hurts knocked out of Week 16 loss with concussion, Josh Allen loses feeling in throwing hand

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The NFC playoff chase took a dynamic turn when the Washington Commanders claimed a statement 36-33 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16. The win kept Washington in the hunt for an NFC East title and the loss all but 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 of the game with a concussion, and backup Kenny Pickett suffering a rib injury in the loss. Losing Hurts for any amount of time would be a massive blow to the Eagles, but Pickett missing time also could put a division title — and possibly more — in serious jeopardy.

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 couple of unlikely wins and a “Philly Special” later, and backup Nick Foles was the toast of the town, helping to bring the Eagles their first and only Super Bowl title. After Jalen Hurts went down on Sunday in Washington, Kenny Pickett filled in, and almost helped Philly run their win streak to 10. Now a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the Eagles’ quarterback room coming out of Week 16.

Coach Nick Sirianni confirmed on Monday that Hurts remains in concussion protocol, leaving his status in doubt as the Cowboys look ahead to Week 17 against the Cowboys. Pickett did have X-rays after the game, and while he didn’t reveal what they found, he told reporters that 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 that 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 chance at the No. 1 seed that 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 it would be in Pittsburgh. The Steelers’ leading receiver has missed the team’s past three games with a hamstring injury, and the club has dropped two of three, including a loss on Saturday to Baltimore. Pittsburgh could have won the AFC North in that game, but now the path is a little trickier. If the Steelers win out, they’ll take the division, but that’d mean knocking off the back-to-back defending champion Chiefs. Having Pickens back — and also possibly Larry Ogunjobi, Donte Jackson and DeShon Elliott — could go a long way toward winning the division for an eighth time under Mike Tomlin.

Live11 updates

  • No concerns for Patrick Mahomes’ ankle for Steelers game

    Despite the short week and an early game on Christmas Day, the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t concerned about the status of Mahomes for the game against the Steelers.

    Mahomes injured his ankle in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns, but showed no signs of it affecting his play during a win over the Houston Texans six days later where he went 28-for-41 for 260 yards and a touchdown. Mahomes also picked up 33 yards on the ground and scored on a 15-yard scamper.

    “Obviously the body’s going to be sore just with a short week and everything like that, but I think the ankle should be in a better place,” Mahomes said Monday. “We’ll see in practice [Monday], but as far as how I felt after this game compared to the one before, I’m definitely in a lot better place.”

    Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles away from Houston Texans pressure during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Texans, 27-19. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
    Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles away from Houston Texans pressure during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Texans, 27-19. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
  • 49ers LT Trent Williams (ankle) out for rest of season

    Out of playoff contention, 49ers LT Trent Williams will miss the final two games of the season as he deals with an ankle injury.

    “(He) hasn’t been able to improve enough to get him out there,” said head coach Kyle Shanahan. “We don’t see that happening enough in these two weeks, especially the situation we’re in.”

    The 49ers have been without Williams, an 11-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-team All-Pro, for their last five games.

    SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Trent Williams #71 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
    SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Trent Williams #71 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
  • Steelers WR George Pickens a full participant in Monday’s practice

    Pickens has missed the past two games due to 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 following Saturday’s defeat 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 that Jalen Hurts is in concussion protocol

    Eagles coach Nick Sirianni didn’t have any medical updates regarding injured quarterback Jalen Hurts after Sunday’s loss to the Commanders, but confirmed on Monday that Hurts remains in concussion protocol after injuring his head against Washington.

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

  • NFL flexes Cowboys-Eagles out for Vikings-Packers

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

  • Tank Dell suffered 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 dislocated his knee, tore his ACL and more, head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed on Monday.

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

  • Packers activating TE Luke Musgrave from IR for Monday’s game vs. Saints

    Tight end Luke Musgrave, who hasn’t played since Week 4, is being activated by the Green Bay Packers for their Monday night matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

    Musgrave, 24, injured his ankle when it was pinned underneath 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 one touchdown. Before his injury, Musgrave had five receptions for 22 yards.

  • Lions players were ecstatic after Eagles lost to Commanders

    Following the Lions win over the Bears on Sunday, Detroit players in the locker room turned their attention to the Eagles-Commanders matchup, 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 strides toward securing the No. 1 seed (and getting that all-important bye).

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

  • Bears OT Braxton Jones has fractured ankle

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

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

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

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

    Then he followed up by giving all the credit to Tee Higgins for getting so open.

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

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

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

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

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

    “Motherf****r looked like Superman when he threw it. I’m calling him Superman from this point forward. F*** Batman. Superman.”

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