Sure, the NFL has changed its COVID-19 rules, allowing for players whether vaccinated or not to return in five days after a positive test.
But the Eagles aren’t taking any chances. In fact, they’re continuing to double down on precautions to prevent an outbreak.
The Eagles currently hold the final playoff spot in the NFC with two games left, and they’re not about to risk losing one or more of their quarterbacks or kicker Jake Elliott to a COVID-19 outbreak.
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So the Eagles have gone so far as to separate quarterbacks Jalen Hurts, Gardner Minshew and Reid Sinnett into separate rooms, along with the coaches, during meetings. The same is true with the specialists, including kicker Jake Elliott.
After all, the Eagles will face the Washington Football Team this Sunday, with a chance to clinch a playoff berth. The last time the two teams met, on Dec. 21, Washington had 11 players on the COVID-19 list.
That included starting quarterback Taylor Heinicke and backup Kyle Allen. That left Washington to use Garrett Gilbert, who was signed off New England’s practice squad four days before the game.
The Eagles won 27-17, essentially knocking Washington out of the playoff race.
“I just left a quarterback meeting,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “We weren’t in a room (together). Jalen was in his room. Gardner was in his room. Reid was in his room. (Offensive coordinator) Shane (Steichen) was in his office. I was in my office. (Quarterbacks coach) Brian (Johnson) was in his office.
“So that was the one meeting. And specialists, we made them all virtual as well.”
Sirianni said the other players and positions are holding meetings in person, according to the new NFL protocols.
But there’s another football reason as to why Hurts, especially, is being placed into a COVID-19 bubble wrap, and that has to do with injuries at running back.
Miles Sanders has already been ruled out with a broken hand, and Sirianni said Jordan Howard is “working like crazy” to be able to play after suffering a neck injury. Both left the Eagles’ 34-10 win over the Giants on Sunday.
If neither of them can play, the Eagles will need Hurts’ running ability more than ever. He’s second among NFL quarterbacks in rushing with 740 yards, and trails only Sanders, who has 754 yards.
But Hurts hasn’t been at full strength since he sprained his ankle Nov. 28 against the Giants. Hurts sat out the next game, on Dec. 5 against the Jets, before returning against Washington.
Still, in the last two games, Hurts has carried the ball a total of 10 times for 45 yards, including a season-low two carries for 7 yards last Sunday.
While Hurts said his ankle “feels fine,” and that it’s “good enough for us to get 2 wins,” the Eagles obviously need him to run more this Sunday.
Sirianni said WFT has to respect Hurts’ running ability, even though he might have been limited the last two games.
“We just (ran him) a little bit less,” Sirianni said about the last two games. “They know what a threat he is to be able to keep (the ball). Now, if you continue on a streak like this where he’s not carrying it or if his ankle is not getting better, then maybe you see a difference (in how the defense plays him).
“We have don’t have restrictions on him anymore. … We’re feeling more and more comfortable, and Jalen is feeling more and more comfortable, to be able to do the things we need to win the football game.”
Still, if both Sanders and Howard are out, that would leave the Eagles with Boston Scott and rookie Kenny Gainwell on the 53-man roster, and Jason Huntley and veteran Kerryon Johnson on the practice squad.
Johnson, the Lions’ second-round pick in 2018, signed Tuesday after spending the summer with the Eagles in training camp. Johnson has had knee injuries since his rookie season, and that was the case last summer.
Johnson got into one game this season with the San Francisco 49ers, but did not have a carry.
Sirianni was asked if Johnson’s signing was an indication that Howard won’t play.
“I wouldn’t look too far into that,” Sirianni said. “Just making sure we have other hands on deck ready to go. Kerryon knows the offense … and we have confidence in him. That’s why we brought him back.”
So far, the Eagles’ COVID-19 caution is serving them relatively well compared with other teams.
They activated four players off the COVID-19 list on Wednesday in backup tackles Andre Dillard and Le’Raven Clark, along with defensive ends Ryan Kerrigan and Tarron Jackson.
The Eagles still have three others on the list in defensive end Derek Barnett, linebacker Shaun Bradley and defensive back Andre Chachere, along with practice-squad players in wide receiver John Hightower and tight end Noah Togiai.
Sirianni also said the Eagles are also making COVID-19 adjustments with their young players who are either reserves or on the practice squad, and who might be pressed into action at the last minute.
He wouldn’t divulge the details other than to say it’s “a little unique and different.”
“We’re doing some things to make sure if a guy gets sprung into action late, that he’s going to be ready to go even more so than what he would have in the past,” Sirianni said.
As for Hurts, he appreciates the lengths the Eagles are taking in order to make sure he stays COVID-19-free. In reality, it isn’t any different from last season, when all meetings were held virtually.
“You definitely learn from your previous experiences, and learn from the things that happen around you,” Hurts said. “Ultimately, in the end, we’re just trying to do the best thing for the team, and achieving our goals.”
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
