When Hurts was injured, the Eagles deployed backup passer Kenny Pickett, who led an admirable attempt to take over the game against Washington but, ultimately, fell. As the playoffs drew nearer, Philadelphia was aware that they were out of reach of the 1-seed in the NFC but also out of reach of the other division-winners behind them.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts is poised to return to the Philadelphia Eagles’ lineup when they open the playoffs Sunday at home against the Green Bay Packers. Hurts was cleared under the return-to-play provisions of the NFL concussion protocol,