Jalen Hurts injury: Backup QB Gardner Minshew might start in Week 16 vs. Cowboys

Gardner Minshew — who will (likely, but not certainly) be starting in place of the injured Jalen Hurts this weekend for the Eagles — is more folk hero than quarterback in many ways.

It’s not just his mustache, which is both full and mysterious, but his overall origin story prior to finding his way to the NFL is pretty incredible.

Minshew worked his way up from junior college to earn a spot at East Carolina. After being forced to burn his redshirt, he famously attempted to earn a medical redshirt by BASHING HIS OWN HAND WITH A HAMMER.

From there, he ended up transferring to Washington State, where under the late Mike Leach’s tutelage he threw for over 4700 yards on his way to being named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year. He certainly left his mark in college—Minshew is even slated to speak at Leach’s funeral.

Since being drafted in the 6th round by Jaguars, he’s established himself as one of the most reliable and accurate backup quarterbacks in the league. But it is with great regret I report that he sold his van, self-dubbed ‘the love shack’, earlier this year.

According to Pro Football Reference, his nickname is 'Jockstrap King.' I’m not going to look up why. but you can go ahead and do so if you’d like.

Maybe it’s a sign of maturity… or maybe it’s a sign our favorite mustachioed enigma is losing his edge.

Tune in to the Eagles game this weekend against the Cowboys to find out!

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