Tag: Jalen Hurts

Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrate their touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni attempts to diffuse QB-WR drama

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Drama brewing between Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver A.J. Brown is much ado about nothing, Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni suggested on Tuesday.

After the Eagles won their ninth game in a row on Sunday, Brown told reporters “passing” was the reason the offense wasn’t clicking as expected in the 22-16 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Defensive end Brandon Graham added fuel to the fire when he shared during a Monday radio appearance he doesn’t believe Hurts and Brown are as close as they had been in the past.

“I know that [Hurts] is trying and [Brown] could be a little better with how he responds to things. They were friends before this, but things have changed, and I understand that because life happens,” Graham said, before attempting to reframe his position with an apology to both players for “assuming that it was something it wasn’t.”

Sirianni on Tuesday said he can only judge what he sees first-hand daily, pointing out his QB and WR1 eat lunch together, openly communicate about the game plan and pray together before games.

Sirianni said he doesn’t believe Brown was pointing a finger at Hurts with his postgame comment on Sunday.

“I didn’t take it that way,” Sirianni told 94WIP in a radio appearance on Tuesday. “You can do anything and spin it any way. I took it as we want to get better as a passing attack. A.J. is part of the passing attack. And so, we all want to be better at it.

“Jalen and A.J. are both really outstanding people and both really outstanding players. I love that our players are wanting to get better and desire to get better, and that’s what we talk about all of the time — is how we get better and be able to do things that are special.”

Brown has 836 yards and four touchdowns this season after back-to-back 1,400-yard campaigns since he was acquired from the Tennessee Titans in 2022.

The Eagles are last in the NFL in pass attempts and Brown said he’s struggling to get into a rhythm.

But given the team’s success and a winning streak spanning multiple months, Philadelphia is determined to continue feeding running back Saquon Barkley. The NFL’s leading rusher, Barkley is first in the league with 266 carries and No. 1 in yards at 1,623.

Sirianni said he understands the buzz over the exchange and Brown’s outburst on the sideline. But he denied there should be a correlation to the 1-6 finish to the 2023 season when team chemistry was a sizzling topic of conversation.

“I see a lot of 2022 vibes,” Sirianni said, pointing to his Super Bowl team that lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. “You can look at what you see in one week, but I’m looking at the big picture and, again, I see it as everybody wants to get better.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Eagles coach: QB Jalen Hurts limited by ankle, or just resting

Posted on | by Field Level Media

There was conflicting information when Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni was asked Friday about quarterback Jalen Hurts sitting out practice earlier in the week.

Hurts was listed as taking a rest day on Wednesday’s injury report. Then Sirianni said the following:

“Yeah, you know he was dealing with a — it was on the injury report,” Sirianni said Friday. “Dealing with the ankle and just making sure we’re precautious.”

When the discrepancy was pointed out, Bob Lange, the Eagles’ senior vice president of communications, stepped in and said Hurts was resting.

“That was rest, yeah, sorry,” Sirianni said. “I thought you were talking about somebody else.”

Asked again for confirmation if Hurts has an ankle issue, Sirianni said, “No. Rest.”

Hurts was a full participant at practice Thursday, and the injury report is due on Friday afternoon.

The quarterback had his weekly news conference on Wednesday and was asked then about missing practice.

“Just didn’t go today,” Hurts said. “Rest. I just do what I’m told.”

ESPN reported on Friday that Hurts has been dealing with a mild ankle issue for a couple of weeks, according to a league source, while another described it as “lower leg soreness.”

The Eagles (6-2) visit the Dallas Cowboys (3-5) on Sunday and the Washington Commanders on Thursday, so load management was within the realm of possibilities.

The league takes injury reports very seriously, requiring “that teams provide credible, accurate, and specific information about injured players to the league office, their opponents, local and national media, and the league’s broadcast partners each week during the regular season and postseason,” the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

The league has fined teams for violating injury report policy.

Hurts, 26, has started all eight games this season and is 150-for-215 passing (69.8 percent) for 1,774 yards and 10 touchdowns with four interceptions. He also has rushed 86 times for 322 yards and eight scores.

Philadelphia selected Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma. A two-time Pro Bowl pick, Hurts has passed for 13,538 yards, 77 TDs and 38 interceptions in 70 games (59 starts).

–Field Level Media

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts yearns for offensive continuity

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Preparing to work under a fourth offensive coordinator as he enters his fifth season, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said he is excited but also expressed his desire for consistency in the coaching ranks.

“I find myself in a situation very similar to college in terms of having a constantly revolving door in terms of coordinators and coaches,” Hurts told reporters Wednesday. “But I’ve always managed to have success in it, so that’s always been a good thing, because you’ve been able to learn from people and apply it.”

Kellen Moore is the Eagles’ new offensive coordinator this season, replacing Brian Johnson, who was fired after the offense struggled down the stretch. Following a 10-1 start, Philadelphia dropped six of its last seven before losing in an NFC wild-card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In his four college seasons (three at Alabama, one at Oklahoma), Hurts had a different playcaller every year. It wasn’t until 2021-22 that Hurts had the same coordinator for consecutive seasons, when now-Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen held the role.

“I think as a player, I definitely yearn for the sustainability and the consistency there,” Hurts said. “As a quarterback, I yearn for those things in a playcaller and a quarterback coach because you kind of see how consistency in those areas can breed excellence,”

Under Steichen’s tutelage, Hurts led the Eagles to an appearance in Super Bowl LVII and finished second in MVP voting in 2022.

When Steichen left for Indianapolis, Johnson was promoted from QB coach to offensive coordinator, but he, Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni reportedly didn’t see eye to eye.

“I think the best of him. He’s been a huge part of my development in my time here as an Eagle,” Hurts said of Johnson, a longtime family friend who is now the Washington Commanders’ assistant head coach/offensive pass game coordinator.

As for working with Moore, Hurts said he’ll soak it all in and be ready to adjust when it comes to the new coordinator’s game plan.

“I’m just all ears. I’m a sponge. I think there’s some beauty in that,” Hurts said. “I’m just in sponge mode. I’m letting them do what it is they’re going to do, and then we kind of adjust from there. I think the thing that we all have to understand is the importance of a foundation in something.

“So I want the coaches to declare their foundation in terms of what they want something to be, how they want it to look, and then obviously you’re going to adjust from there.”

–Field Level Media

New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) goes after Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) just before sacking him in the second quarter, Sunday, January 7, 2024.

Report: Eagles QB Jalen Hurts’ middle finger not broken

Posted on | by Field Level Media

X-rays showed no fracture to the middle finger of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ throwing hand, NFL Network reported Monday.

Hurts has an extra day to recover as the free-falling Eagles prepare to visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an NFC wild-card game next Monday night.

The Eagles pulled Hurts from Sunday’s game against the New York Giants while trailing by 24 points late in the first half. Philadelphia’s 27-10 loss was its fifth in six games following a 10-1 start.

Hurts was hurt in the first minute of the second quarter when Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke struck him as he was getting rid of the ball. Hurts immediately grabbed his hand and later flashed his awkwardly bent finger.

Hurts stayed in the game but was largely ineffective. He was intercepted by Xavier McKinney with 1:28 remaining in the half and when Philadelphia got the ball back 23 seconds later, Marcus Mariota entered at quarterback.

Hurts, 25, set career highs in passing yards (3,858), touchdown passes (23), interceptions (15) and rushing scores (15) this season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) warmups before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles QB Jalen Hurts questionable vs. Seahawks

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles will list quarterback Jalen Hurts as questionable for Monday night’s game against the host Seattle Seahawks, ESPN reported Sunday morning.

Per the report, Hurts’ sickness worsened overnight, and he will travel to Seattle separately from the team as a means to protect his teammates from becoming ill.

Hurts officially did not have an injury designation on Saturday for the Eagles (10-3), who have lost two in a row heading into their clash versus the Seahawks (6-7).

Hurts, 25, has completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 3,192 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 13 games (all starts). He also has rushed for 460 yards and 12 scores.

Hurts has thrown for 11,098 yards and 63 touchdowns against 29 interceptions in 58 career games (47 starts) since being selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s also rushed for 2,358 yards and 38 TDs.

–Field Level Media

Sep 25, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Hurts, Eagles aim to exact revenge vs. Commanders

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Stretching back to December 2021, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has won 20 of his past 21 starts in the regular season.

He will have an opportunity to atone for the lone blemish on Sunday when Philadelphia (3-0) hosts the Washington Commanders (2-1) in the first NFC East game of the season for both teams.

Hurts and the Eagles started 8-0 last season before the Commanders pulled off a 32-21 stunner on a Monday night in Philadelphia. Hurts passed for two touchdowns and ran for another in that game, but the Eagles turned it over four times — fumbling on three of their last four possessions — and couldn’t stop Washington on long drives of 12, 13, 14 and 16 plays.

Philadelphia is off to another fast start, opening 3-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1992 and 1993.

Hurts passed for 277 yards and scored both a throwing and rushing touchdown in Monday’s 25-11 road win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also threw his second and third picks of the season, already half of his total from last year’s MVP runner-up campaign.

A.J. Brown caught nine passes for 131 yards against the Bucs after being held to 29 yards in a Week 2 victory against the Minnesota Vikings. D’Andre Swift followed up his 175-yard effort against the Vikings with 130 rushing yards at Tampa.

After allowing 364 passing yards and four touchdown throws by Kirk Cousins in Week 2 and 316 yards and three TDs by New England’s Mac Jones in Week 1, the Philadelphia defense limited Baker Mayfield to 146 yards and one TD on Monday night.

The Eagles gained 472 yards of offense and had 27 first downs against the Buccaneers, but coach Nick Sirianni still sees plenty of room for improvement.

“Are we playing our best offensive football right now? No, and we shouldn’t be yet, and it’s a growth,” Sirianni said. “All the teams are growing and no one’s playing the best football that they should be playing right now. I’ve been pleased with where we are.”

The Commanders certainly did not play their best football in last Sunday’s 37-3 home loss against Buffalo. The Bills sacked second-year quarterback Sam Howell nine times and intercepted him on four occasions, losing the shutout on Joey Slye’s 51-yard field goal with only 46 seconds left.

Washington converted only one of its 10 chances on third and fourth downs. Through three games, only the New York Jets (21.6 percent) are worse than the Commanders (25.8) on third down. Washington’s 19 sacks allowed are six more than any other team.

The Commanders have to quickly forget and reset to get ready for Sunday’s road challenge at Philly.

“They’re right now in first place in our division,” Washington coach Ron Rivera said. “Secondly, they were in the Super Bowl last year. Third, it’s a very difficult place to go (with) a passionate group of fans that are up there, but you know, that’s the challenge.

“You’re going into a very hostile environment. Great fan base, good football team. That’s a heck of a combination.”

Three players were deemed non-participants for the Eagles’ walk-through practice Wednesday: safeties Sydney Brown (hamstring) and Justin Evans (neck) and wide receiver Quez Watkins (hamstring).

Limited participants in Wednesday’s session for Washington were tight end Logan Thomas (concussion), running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (illness) and safety Percy Butler (foot).

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) walks off the field after win against the Tennessee Titans at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles WR A.J. Brown: No beef with QB Jalen Hurts

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown said he has no issue with quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Brown contends the two merely were involved in a “discussion” during last week’s home opener against the Minnesota Vikings when cameras caught them in an animated sideline interaction that boiled just enough to prompt head coach Nick Sirianni to step between them.

“The sideline discussion, I want you all to know that’s what it was, a discussion,” Brown said, via the Delaware News Journal. “It’s a game that we both love and I want everybody to understand that sometimes emotions run high and that’s kind of what happened. That doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. That doesn’t mean I’m beefing with Jalen.

“And no, it was not about targets. I’m sure everybody thought that because he threw me the ball three times in a row afterwards. But no, I was not over there discussing targets. It was about something that happened earlier and we were having a discussion about it.”

Brown, 26, recorded four catches for 29 yards in the 34-28 victory over Minnesota. His 11 receptions are tied for the team lead with DeVonta Smith, however Brown has yet to find the end zone this season.

Brown, who set a franchise record with 1,496 receiving yards last season, returns to action with the Eagles (2-0) on Monday night against the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0).

–Field Level Media