When it comes to discussing his injured left knee, Jalen Hurts isn’t a fan. However, even he acknowledges that the bye week arrived at the perfect time.
After DeMarcus Lawrence’s helmet collided with Hurts’ knee in the second quarter, the quarterback’s ability to complete the game against the Cowboys was uncertain. But as you may already know, not only did Hurts remain on the field, but he also contributed to the Eagles’ thrilling 28-23 victory.
Although Hurts didn’t immediately leave the game after the hit, he hobbled his way to the bench during the next play and continued limping into the locker room before the end of the first half. Even his teammates were unsure if he could finish the game.
Left tackle Jordan Mailata, who witnessed Hurts’ determination firsthand, said, “I had no idea how he was feeling. And I came in at halftime and the guy was walking around perfect with an IV bag, saying, ‘Let’s go. We gotta get this s— rolling.'”
Despite any doubts, Hurts led the Eagles on a 60-yard touchdown drive at the start of the second half and helped them secure a lead they maintained until the end. His ability to play through pain has always motivated his teammates.
Hurts shared, “I don’t like it being that way… I’d love to be all good but, as I said, I’d do anything for this city and for my teammates. It takes what it takes and that’s simply put. Whatever it takes, and I’m just happy that we were able to gut out this win and we showed so much resilience.”
In the game, Hurts completed 17 of 23 passes for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns, despite the injury. He also rushed 10 times for 36 yards and scored a touchdown on a QB sneak. It’s evident that he’s been playing through pain in recent weeks, despite the Eagles being tight-lipped about his condition.
Head coach Nick Sirianni praised Hurts’ toughness, stating, “Yeah, again, he’s tough as heck… Great leader, great player, rises to the occasion in big time moments… He’s a warrior. He’s going to play through bumps and bruises and at a high level because he’s a big-time player.”
As the Eagles head into their bye week, they boast an impressive 8-1 record, the best in the NFL. They won’t return to action until their Monday Night Football game against Kansas City on Nov. 20. This break provides Hurts with ample time to recover from his knee injury, although he’s uncertain about the specific recovery plan.
One thing is certain: Hurts could use some rest. He summed up the gritty win by saying, “It was a gritty win… It was a tough win. Much respect to that team. Always very competitive and have great players. But I don’t think the bye week could come at a better time.”
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