Eagles news: Jalen Hurts status, C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s possible return

The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants enter Week 18 of the NFL’s regular season with two totally different mindsets. The Birds need to win. The G-Men don’t. It’s as simple as that. Raise your hand if you thought that would be the narrative once we arrived at the regular-season finale.

As you have known all week, Big Blue can neither improve nor worsen its standing as the NFC’s sixth seed. It’s for that reason, that most believe they’ll sit their starters. Philly is in a must-win game. Again, raise your hand if you assumed these teams would be in different positions a month ago.

The Birds have to win in order to claim the NFC East’s crown and assure themselves of a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. If you need help getting hyped up about this one, you might want to check your pulse.

More Eagles news: Jalen Hurts is questionable.

There is an old saying in football. Actually, there are many, but here’s one that you have no doubt heard a time or two. ‘Field the lineup that gives you the best opportunity to win.

Now if you’re a Birds fan, it doesn’t take a ton of brain power to arrive at the theory that the ‘best opportunity’ implies that Jalen Hurts on the field. There’s just one problem. He was listed as questionable on the Eagles’ Friday afternoon injury report.

Keep an eye on this one as it will be a talking point from now until we hear an official announcement about whether he’s playing or not. Try not to stress in the meantime. Many believe he’ll go.

Even more Eagles news: Don’t rule out Chauncey Gardner-Johnson’s return.

In addition to Hurts, there is hope that more reinforcements are on the way. Philly opened a 21-day practice window for safety C. J. Gardner-Johnson, defensive end Robert Quinn, and offensive lineman Brett Toth on Wednesday. Guard Sua Opeta was waived on Friday.

That leaves an open spot on the current 53-man roster. One of those guys could be elevated to fill it. There’s also a possibility that Sua could return if the Birds make room for him on the practice squad.

Philly has three weeks from this past Wednesday to decide whether or not they’re adding those guys to the roster. If they choose not to, they return to the I.R. for the rest of the season once the three weeks expire.

Don’t shed a tear for Sua though. There’s the possibility that Philly makes room to allow themselves the opportunity to bring him back to the practice squad.