Although there are definite exceptions, a team does not usually play up to its full capabilities in the postseason if its starting quarterback is injured. The Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl under those set of circumstances before, but they will surely need a healthy Jalen Hurts to hoist their second Lombardi Trophy in February.

Hence, why one individual believes the reigning NFC champions should take a conservative approach with the franchise star and QB1. ā€œYou have to have a serious conversation if you're Philly, and you have to really say is it better for us to play Marcus Mariota right now and let Jalen get fully healthy?,ā€ former No. 1 overall pick and current analyst David Carr said on NFL Total Access. ā€œBecause I would argue it does not matter if you're the No. 1 seed.ā€

Should Eagles ensure that Jalen Hurts is healthy for playoffs?

Hurts has battled through a knee injury and briefly left the Eagles' blowout loss to the visiting San Francisco 49ers to be evaluated for a concussion before quickly returning. He has played in every game this season, leading his team to an NFL-best 10-2 record. While there are fans who believe Hurts should suit up if the medical staff clears him, affording No. 1 the time to fully recover from any issues is a reasonable suggestion to make.

But Carr took his pro-Mariota stance way too far. ā€œI'd say he's probably better at playing quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, right now he'd be more productive,ā€ the Super Bowl 46 champion said.

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Marcus Mariota is one of the top backups in the NFL and can play well enough with this talented offense to win football games. However, even at less than 100 percent, Jalen Hurts remains the superior signal-caller. He has not been his 2022 self (10 interceptions), but he is still rising to the occasion in most of the clutch moments. And there is a big one right around the corner.

No one would feel more comfortable with the former Heisman Trophy winner taking snaps under center in a pivotal NFC East matchup against the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday night. Heck, Mariota himself knows that. David Carr should, too.