Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will start Sunday’s regular-season finale against the New York Giants, who will turn to recently elevated practice-squad quarterback Davis Webb as their starter, sources told ESPN.
Hurts has missed Philadelphia’s past two games — both losses by the Eagles — because of an injury to his throwing shoulder. The Eagles (13-3) need to win or tie against the Giants to clinch the top seed in the NFC and a first-round bye; they could also get the top seed if the Cowboys (12-4) lose to the Commanders and the 49ers (12-4) lose to the Cardinals.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Friday that it was “trending in the right direction” for Hurts to start against the Giants. Hurts was listed as questionable after being limited in all three of the Eagles’ practices this week.
Hurts has thrown for 3,472 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for 747 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 35 total touchdowns have tied the franchise record set by Randall Cunningham in 1990.
While Hurts and the Eagles will be motivated to clinch the NFC East title and the No. 1 overall seed, the Giants (9-6-1) are locked into the No. 6 seed and will play a wild-card game next weekend at either Minnesota or San Francisco.
Coach Brian Daboll did not disclose whether the Giants would rest any starters — including quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley — against the Eagles, saying Friday that he and general manager Joe Schoen had not made a decision.
It will be the first career start for Webb, who was a third-round draft selection of the Giants in 2017 but has never attempted a pass in a regular-season NFL game. He spent time as a practice-squad player with the Jets and Bills before rejoining the Giants in February.
The New York Post first reported the Giants’ plans to start Webb. Tyrod Taylor is expected to serve as Webb’s backup.
Webb, who was officially elevated from the practice squad Saturday, laughed Friday when asked if he volunteered to start so Jones could rest against Philadelphia.
“Yeah, but I do that every week,” Webb told reporters.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Tim McManus and The Associated Press contributed to this report.