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 ā and possibly more ā in serious jeopardy.
Elsewhere around the league on the injury front, Josh Allen suffered a hand injury in the Bills' win over the Patriots, and looking forward to Christmas Day, the Steelers could get George Pickens back, just in time for a visit from the 14-1 Kansas City Chiefs, who'll be looking to lock down the AFC's No. 1 seed with a yuletide win.
Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett injuries cause questions at QB in Philadelphia
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.
Josh Allen lost feeling in his throwing hand in win over Patriots
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).
"Got a helmet to the funny bone. I went to throw the next one, and I had no feeling in the hand. Came out a little wobbly."
George Pickens could be back for Steelers vs. Chiefs
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 ā and also possibly Larry Ogunjobi, Donte Jackson and DeShon Elliott ā could go a long way toward winning the division for an eighth time under Mike Tomlin.
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Sean Leahy
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.
George Pickens and DeShon Elliott were a full participants in today's walk through. pic.twitter.com/W5Tz070N9g
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.
Ryan Young
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 ā which will have serious playoff and NFC North implications ā will take it's place in the 4:35 p.m. ET slot.
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.
Ian Casselberry
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.
The #Packers are activating TE Luke Musgrave from injured reserve and heāll play tonight against the #Saints, per source.
A remarkable return for Musgrave, who had ankle surgery in October and hasnāt played since Week 3. Theyāll ease him in. pic.twitter.com/dQ4LtWVOns
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.
Liz Roscher
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.
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.
#Bears OT Braxton Jones, who was carted off yesterday, is believed to have suffered a fractured ankle, source says. Heās still undergoing tests, but as of now, itās just the fibula, not the tibia, as well.
"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."
Liz Roscher
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 ā or tossed? ā 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.
