Eagles QB Jalen Hurts trending in wrong direction ahead of Week 17

Instead, backups Pickett, Tanner McKee and Ian Book practiced at quarterback.

The Eagles (12-3) play the Cowboys (7-8) in Week 17. Last Sunday, Philadelphia blew a 13-point fourth-quarter lead to the Commanders (10-5) in a 36-33 loss.

Hurts was injured in the first quarter against Washington. Despite Philadelphia extending its lead to 21-7 with Pickett at quarterback, he showed limitations as Washington mounted its comeback.

On 30 Pickett dropbacks, the Eagles gained 131 yards (4.4 yards per dropback).

Pickett was 14-for-24 for 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked three times, losing 25 yards while gaining 13 yards on three carries.

This season, Hurts has a career-high 68.7 percent completion rate with 2,903 yards (eight yards per attempt), 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. He's also rushed for 630 yards and is tied for the league lead with 14 rushing touchdowns.

Pickett will play against the resurgent Cowboys if forced to start on Sunday.

Dallas has won four of its last five games after going 3-7 in its first 10 games.

According to Pro Football Reference, the Cowboys are first in the league in pressure rate (30.1 percent) and fourth in sacks (46).

If he hadn't missed time earlier this season, edge-rusher Micah Parsons would be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. In 11 games, he has 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 19 quarterback hits.

The Eagles can clinch the NFC East with a win against the Cowboys and a Commanders loss to the Falcons (8-7).

With a loss, Philadelphia must win in Week 18 to ensure it's the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.

Without Hurts, that's the road the Eagles are likelier to travel.