Tag: Eagles

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Eagles QB Kenny Pickett expects to be ‘ready to go’ vs. Cowboys

Posted on | by Field Level Media

If Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback Jalen Hurts is unavailable for their Week 17 tilt with the rival Dallas Cowboys, they’ll at least have Kenny Pickett at their disposal.

Hurts remains in concussion protocol while also dealing with a finger injury on his non-throwing hand. He did not practice on Thursday, but QB2 Pickett (ribs) was a full participant.

Pickett told reporters after practice Thursday that he expects to be able to play. He “tested out some different things padding-wise” in anticipation of being on the field Sunday against visiting Dallas, when the Eagles can clinch the NFC East title with a victory.

“It is what it is. Just something I’m going to have to deal with,” Pickett said. “So, yeah, I’ll be ready to go for Sunday.”

Hurts was injured last Sunday in the Eagles’ loss to the Washington Commanders. His head hit the turf while being tackled by Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner.

Hurts connected on just 1 of 4 passes for 11 yards before he exited the game. Pickett took over and produced 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 14-of-24 passing as Washington rallied to beat Philadelphia 36-33.

It was later revealed that Pickett hurt his ribs during the game.

“I think after a couple more days, getting a chance to kind of rest it a little bit more, go do some rehab, I’ll be good for Sunday,” Pickett said.

The only other quarterback on the Eagles’ roster is Tanner McKee, a sixth-round pick in 2023 who has yet to play a snap for them. Philadelphia signed quarterback Ian Book to the practice squad earlier Thursday.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni in the tunnel against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Reports: Eagles coach Nick Sirianni apologizes to Commanders TE Zach Ertz

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni apologized to Washington tight end Zach Ertz for his comments during a heated exchange following the Commanders’ victory on Sunday, according to multiple reports.

The player and coach were seen meeting for the routine postgame handshake, with Ertz instead offering a high-five to Sirianni, who was his head coach during the start of the 2021 season in Philadelphia.

Instead, the two had to be separated by Eagles chief security officer Dom DiSandro, who then escorted Sirianni to a tunnel at Northwest Stadium, according to reports.

Sirianni didn’t like the intensity of Ertz’s high-five and criticized his performance in the game, to which Ertz took exception, according to a report released Thursday morning on the “Uncovering the Birds” podcast with Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Ertz, who was listed as questionable for the game after sustaining a concussion a week earlier in Washington’s 20-19 victory at New Orleans, started on Sunday and had one catch on two targets for 12 yards as the Commanders won 36-33.

Asked afterward about the incident, Sirianni told reporters: “Both of us said ‘congrats’ to each other.”

Ertz, likewise, downplayed the meeting, telling an Inquirer reporter: “We just exchanged holiday pleasantries and kept it moving.”

Sirianni, who according to reports later apologized to Ertz over a Zoom call, met with media members on Thursday. He said that he keeps conversations with players private and that he has respect for Ertz.

During the week leading up to the NFC Division contest, Sirianni said of Ertz: “I think, first and foremost, Zach is an all-time Eagle and was really honored to be around him, and he’s still playing at a high level in this part of his career.

“So, going through that and him moving on, us moving on in the organization, him getting another fresh start, that was always a tough one because I did really come to really value Zach Ertz the person, Zach Ertz the player. Enjoyed the time I had around him.”

The Eagles traded Ertz to the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 15, 2021, during Sirianni’s first season as head coach and with the Philadelphia organization.

Philadelphia selected Ertz in the second round (35th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Stanford. He has 764 career receptions for 7,972 yards and 50 touchdowns in 166 regular-season games (128 starts) for the Eagles (2013-21), Cardinals (2021-23) and Commanders.

Washington signed Ertz, 34, as a free agent in March. The three-time Pro Bowl selection (2017-19) has started all 15 games for the Commanders and has 55 receptions for 538 yards and four touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Ian Book (2) hits a shovel pass during the fourth quarter of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 26-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Eagles bring in QB Ian Book for visit with Jalen Hurts (concussion) ailing

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With the quarterback position suddenly an uncertainty, the Philadelphia Eagles brought QB Ian Book in for a visit on Christmas Day.

Book, 26, has some familiarity with the organization. He was waived by the Eagles in August 2023 as they finalized their 53-man roster.

Starter Jalen Hurts is in the concussion protocol, and backup Kenny Pickett suffered an injury to his ribs last Sunday in a loss to the Washington Commanders.

Second-year player Tanner McKee is the team’s third quarterback.

Book was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Saints. The former Notre Dame star has played in just one NFL game, starting for New Orleans on Dec. 27, 2021, in a 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

He also has spent time with the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs.

The Eagles (12-3) are headed to the NFL playoffs and will host the Dallas Cowboys (7-8) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) warms up before the game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

With question at QB, Eagles bid to wrap up NFC East vs. Cowboys

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The Eagles are looking to clinch the NFC East title while completing a rare sweep of the rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in Philadelphia.

The Eagles (12-3) may have to play without starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, who sustained a concussion during last weekend’s 36-33 loss at Washington that snapped their team-record 10-game winning streak.

Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett suffered a rib injury against the Commanders, potentially putting Tanner McKee under center Sunday as Philadelphia tries to sweep Dallas for the first time since 2011.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys (7-8) are clicking with their own QB2 at the controls. Cooper Rush has guided Dallas to wins in four of the last five games, throwing nine touchdown passes and just one interception in that span.

The Cowboys are in the unfamiliar position of playing spoiler, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Two more wins would give Dallas its fourth straight winning season under fifth-year coach Mike McCarthy.

“It’s hard to win games in this league. It’s definitely an end goal just to have a winning season,” Cowboys right guard Brock Hoffman said. “… But definitely where we’ve been at on this journey, take it week by week, win these last two games, have a winning season, and it’s definitely a big boost going into next season.”

The Eagles cruised to a 34-6 win over the Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, in the first meeting in Week 10, with Hurts throwing two touchdown passes and rushing for two scores. Rush finished with just 45 yards on 13-of-23 passing.

The Eagles did not practice on Christmas Day, so their injury report Wednesday was an estimation, but the team said Hurts would not have practiced and Pickett would have been a limited participant.

Pickett replaced a woozy Hurts in the first quarter against Washington and finished the drive with a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown.

“I thought it was so cool for our guys to have the confidence in (Pickett) to just hop in there and handle a third down, handle another completion, throw a third-down touchdown in the red zone,” Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said Tuesday. “I thought that was a really cool moment.”

A sixth-round pick out of Stanford in 2023, McKee has yet to appear in a regular-season game.

“I feel like I’ve always been preparing to be the starter and preparing to play, and so my preparation is going to stay the same,” McKee said Tuesday. “And you know, I’m obviously excited for any opportunity that I do get, but we’re going to take it day by day for those guys.”

No matter who plays QB, the Eagles likely will lean heavily on Saquon Barkley. With a league-leading 1,838 rushing yards, he needs 268 in the last two games to break Eric Dickerson’s 1984 NFL single-season record of 2,105.

Philadelphia’s initial injury report Wednesday also included linebacker Nakobe Dean (abdomen) and running back Will Shipley (concussion) as non-participants. Wide receiver/return specialist Britain Covey (neck) and defensive end Bryce Huff (wrist) were full participants.

The Cowboys’ first injury report also was an estimation. Star wideout CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) and middle linebacker Eric Kendricks (calf) highlighted the list of non-participants. Receiver Jalen Tolbert (finger) was limited, while cornerback Jourdan Lewis (elbow) and defensive tackle Mazi Smith (back) were full participants.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) against Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (concussion) estimated as missing practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is in concussion protocol and would not have practiced Wednesday, while his replacement, Kenny Pickett, would have been listed as a limited participant on the injury report because of a ribs issue.

The Eagles did not practice on Wednesday, so the report was an estimation of how the players would have been listed. Hurts exited Philadelphia’s 36-33 road loss to the Washington Commanders last Sunday due to a head injury, while Pickett sustained a rib injury.

Hurts, 26, also has a left finger injury listed on the report. The Eagles (12-3) host the Dallas Cowboys (7-8) on Sunday with a chance to clinch the NFC East title.

Also listed with an injury designation on Wednesday were linebacker Nakobe Dean (abdomen) and running back/returner Will Shipley (concussion protocol). Wide receiver Britain Covey (neck) and defensive end Bryce Huff (wrist) were estimated to be full participants. Covey has not played since the win over the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 1, while Huff is in the 21-day practice window to come off injured reserve.

Hurts has started all 15 games this season for Philadelphia and is 248 of 361 for 2,903 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. Hurts also has rushed 150 times for 630 yards and an NFL co-leading 14 rushing scores.

Pickett, 26, has appeared in four games this season after the Eagles acquired him in March in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is 15 of 27 for 148 yards, one touchdown and one pick.

The Eagles have one other quarterback on their roster, Tanner McKee. A sixth-round pick in 2023 out of Stanford, McKee has yet to play a snap for Philadelphia.

–Field Level Media

Aug 15, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles helmets sit on the bench during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Legendary Eagles LB Bill Bergey dies at 79

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Legendary Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Bill Bergey has died after a three-year cancer battle. He was 79.

Bergey’s son, Jake, announced the five-time Pro Bowl selection’s passing in a post on social media Christmas morning.

After 68 games in five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals (1969-73), Bergey played in 91 games in seven seasons with the Eagles (1974-80). He collected 27 career interceptions and 21 fumble recoveries.

His final game was Philadelphia’s 27-10 loss against the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XV on Jan. 25, 1981, in New Orleans.

He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 1974 and 1975 and was runner-up to Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Joe Greene in the 1974 NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Bergey was inducted into the Eagles’ Roll of Honor in 1988 and the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) walks off the field to leave the game during the first quarter against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Eagles’ Jalen Hurts in concussion protocol; Kenny Pickett hurt, too

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia gets its next chance to clinch the NFC East title against the visiting Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, but the Eagles don’t know whom they will have at quarterback.

Jalen Hurts exited Philadelphia’s 36-33 road loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday due to a head injury, and coach Nick Sirianni said Monday that Hurts was placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Hurts’ replacement, Kenny Pickett, sustained a rib injury in the game, and the team was awaiting word on the result of X-rays, according to Sirianni.

Sirianni said of Hurts, “When stuff like that happens, we just lean on the doctors to let us know on a daily basis where he is. … Jalen knows how to prepare, knows how to get himself ready. He is a true pro. Like I’ve said, I just can’t say enough good things about Jalen the player, Jalen the leader, Jalen the person.”

Hurts, who has guided the Eagles to a 12-3 record this season, connected on just 1 of 4 passes for 11 yards before he exited the Washington game.

Pickett took over and produced 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 14-of-24 passing.

“Kenny did some really good things there yesterday,” Sirianni said. “Obviously, we missed Jalen. Jalen’s a great football player who’s had tremendous success and led us to a lot of victories, so we missed him and his contributions to the team and leading the team.

“Kenny, under the circumstances, came in and did a nice job, played good football, gave us a chance to win the football game. Obviously, he’s going to want some plays back, but he did a lot of good things.”

The Eagles have one other quarterback on their roster, Tanner McKee. A sixth-round pick in 2023 out of Stanford, McKee has yet to play a snap for Philadelphia.

–Field Level Media

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jonathan Bullard (90) pressures Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) during the third quarter of their game Sunday, September 29, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Minnesota Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers 31-29.

Packers-Vikings, Cowboys-Eagles start times shifted

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL announced two changes to the Week 17 schedule on Monday.

Sunday’s NFC East game between the Dallas Cowboys (7-8) and host Philadelphia Eagles (12-3) was moved to 1 p.m. ET.

Sunday’s NFC North clash between the Green Bay Packers (10-4) and host Minnesota Vikings (13-2) was moved to 4:25 p.m. ET.

Both games are airing on FOX.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs the ball against Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Jayden Daniels rallies Commanders past Jalen Hurts-less Eagles

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Jayden Daniels threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jamison Crowder with six seconds remaining and the Washington Commanders beat the visiting Philadelphia Eagles 36-33 on Sunday.

Philadelphia’s Jake Elliott hit a pair of late field goals to give the Eagles — who lost quarterback Jalen Hurts to a concussion in the first quarter — a 33-28 lead with 1:58 remaining. Washington (10-5) then went 57 yards in nine plays and added the two-point conversion, a run by Jeremy McNichols.

Daniels finished 24-of-39 passing for 258 yards, a career-high five touchdowns and two interceptions. He ran nine times for 81 yards. Olamide Zaccheus had five catches for 70 yards and two scores as Washington won despite five turnovers.

Saquon Barkley had 29 carries for 150 yards and two scores for the Eagles (12-3), who had won 10 straight. Kenny Pickett was 14-of-24 for 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception in relief of Hurts, and A.J. Brown caught eight passes for 97 yards and a score.

The Eagles led by seven at halftime and Elliott’s two third-quarter field goals made it 27-14.

On fourth-and-11 from the Eagles’ 41-yard line on the final play of the quarter, Daniels scrambled up the middle for 29 yards. Daniels then hit Zaccheaus for a 4-yard touchdown.

After a punt, Washington started at its own 13. Seven plays later, Daniels found a wide-open Zaccheaus for a 49-yard catch-and-run and suddenly the Commanders led 28-27.

The Eagles jumped out to an early lead. After the Commanders were stopped on fourth-and-1 at their own 49 on the opening drive, Barkley ran four times for 37 yards, capping the drive with a 2-yard touchdown.

Philadelphia started its next drive on the Washington 43 after Brian Robinson Jr. fumbled. Hurts ran 13 yards to the 21 but was tackled between linebackers Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner and left the game. Four plays later, Pickett hit A.J. Brown on a quick slant for a 4-yard touchdown.

Later in the quarter, Luvu intercepted Pickett’s pass at the Philadelphia 25 and Daniels soon connected with Crowder for a 6-yard score.

On the next drive, Barkley scampered around the left end and raced 68 yards for a touchdown and the lead was 21-7. Barkley finished the quarter with 109 yards rushing.

Washington used a 96-yard drive to pull within 21-14. Daniels hit Dyami Brown for 51 yards on the first play and later found Terry McLaurin for a 32-yard over-the-shoulder touchdown.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) warms up before playing against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (concussion) ruled out against Commanders

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts left the game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday in the first quarter and was being evaluated for a concussion before being ruled out.

Hurts was injured by a tackle from Washington’s Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner at the end of an 11-yard run to the Washington 21. He briefly appeared about to return but was taken to the locker room. He was later ruled out for the rest of the game.

Back-up Kenny Pickett came on and completed the drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Brown.

The Eagles (12-2) are in pursuit of the top seed in the NFC, alongside the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, who are likewise 12-2. The Commanders (9-5) are in contention for an NFC wild-card berth.

–Field Level Media