HEADLINE

Report: Gardner Minshew II probable starting QB for Eagles

Field Level Media

December 05, 2021 at 12:49 am.

Gardner Minshew is slated to start at quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles against the New York Jets on Sunday with Jalen Hurts battling an ankle injury, according to a published report.

Another report indicates the Eagles will wait and see how Hurts is feeling on Sunday before making a final decision.

Hurts was injured in the fourth quarter of last week’s 13-7 loss to the New York Giants. He was a limited practice participant on Friday.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Friday that there was still time to wait before making a decision.

Minshew was acquired by Philadelphia from the Jacksonville Jaguars in late August. He has started 20 NFL games and compiled a 7-13 record.

Sirianni said there would be adjustments to the offensive game plan if Minshew was the starter. Minshew prefers to operate from the pocket while the highly athletic Hurts is comfortable operating on the run and is very effective when he tucks the ball and heads up field.

“You know what your backup likes, and you know what he does well,” Sirianni said. “I don’t want to say it’s different game plans. It’s different styles a little bit because you tweak everything for each individual player. But we’re playing a certain style of defense, so there will be some similarities regardless of who’s playing quarterback.”

Minshew has seen action in one game this season and completed both passes for 11 yards. He has thrown for 5,541 yards, 37 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 24 appearances with the Jaguars (2019-20) and Eagles.

Hurts is in his first season as a full-time starter and has passed for 2,435 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also has rushed for 695 yards and eight scores.

Overall, Hurts is 6-10 as an NFL starter. He threw a career-worst three interceptions in the loss to the Giants.

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