Is Jalen Hurts Playing In Week 17? Should I Pick Up and Start Gardner Minshew In Week 17? Fantasy Football Outlook

As we enter Week 17 of the NFL season, successful fantasy managers are squaring off in their league's championship finals. Every decision is crucial at this point of the season.

One important injury that many fantasy GMs are monitoring closely is the status of Philadelphia Eagles star QB Jalen Hurts. Hurts missed last week's game against the Dallas Cowboys with an injury to his throwing shoulder and his status for "Championship Week" is in doubt. If the Philly signal caller can't go this week against the New Orleans Saints, backup QB Gardner Minshew would start for the second consecutive week.

Is Jalen Hurts playing in Week 17? Should I pick up and start Gardner Minshew in Week 17?

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Is Jalen Hurts Playing In Week 17?

A legitimate MVP candidate, Jalen Hurts has put together a dazzling 2022 season. The Philly signal-caller has been lethal both through the air and on the ground. Hurts has thrown for 3,472 yards and 22 TDs while rushing for 747 yards and a league-leading 13 TDs. His average of 26.4 fantasy points per game in standard scoring is the top mark in the NFL this season.

Unfortunately, Hurts suffered a sprain to his throwing shoulder in a Week 15 win over the Chicago Bears. The issue kept him out of last week's game against the Dallas Cowboys and has his availability for a Week 17 date with the New Orleans Saints in serious doubt.

While Hurts appeared to make progress throughout the week by logging limited practice sessions on Thursday and Friday, he has been officially tagged with a doubtful injury designation by the Eagles and seems to be a longshot to suit up against the Saints.

Should I Pick Up and Start Gardner Minshew In Week 17?

Hurts' doubtful tag is a horrible sign for fantasy managers that hoped to have one of the NFL's best point producers available for their league championship matchups.

Assuming Hurts can't suit up against the Saints this week, Gardner Minshew will once again be a strong substitute. While he doesn't possess Hurts' rushing ability, the Philadelphia coaching staff entrusted him to attempt 40 passes last week against the Dallas Cowboys and Minshew proved up to the task from a fantasy standpoint.

Minshew completed 24 of 40 pass attempts for 355 yards and two TDs against the rival Cowboys in last week's 40-34 loss. The Washington State product did also throw two INTs in the losing effort, but his 22.7 fantasy points in standard leagues was a great return for fantasy managers that rolled the dice on him in their league playoffs.

With a talented pass-catching group that includes A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert, Minshew deserves serious fantasy consideration in Week 17 against a middling New Orleans Saints defense. He can be started in place of Hurts in all leagues and is a must-start in 2QB and SuperFlex formats.

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