Eagles QB Jalen Hurts on concern for injured shoulder in playoffs: ‘I’ve received a bounty on me each week’

Third-year Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts suffered a sprained shoulder in a Week 15, which sidelined him for the following two video games.

Hurts was capable of robust it out within the regular-season finale towards the Giants to assist his staff clinch the highest seed within the NFC. Philly didn’t need to play this previous weekend within the wild-card spherical of the playoffs as a result of the No. 1 seed is entitled to a bye week. 

The week off was a lot wanted for Hurts has he continues to heal from the damage. But the MVP candidate didn’t appear nervous about if his proper shoulder can be focused on Saturday through the divisional spherical playoff matchup.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts throws a go towards the New York Giants through the first half of an NFL soccer recreation, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Philadelphia.
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

“It’s soccer. I’ve received a bounty on me each week I am going on the market on the sphere,” Hurts advised reporters throughout a gathering session on Tuesday. “So, I’m going to go on the market and simply play my recreation, and no matter occurs, occurs.”

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni mentioned Hurts is in a greater place from a well being standpoint than he was two weeks in the past. Sirianni additionally famous that Hurts can be a “full go” within the staff’s walk-through observe on Tuesday. 

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“He’s higher right now than he was two weeks in the past,” Sirianni mentioned. “He’s persevering with to get higher and he feels good. I’ll let him inform you how he feels. But wanting ahead to seeing him go on the market and observe right now and undergo every thing right now.”

Hurts was not listed on the Eagles damage report on Tuesday forward of pivotal playoff recreation towards the Giants. “I’m feeling good,” Hurts confirmed.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) leads a huddle in motion throughout a recreation between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears on December 18, 2022, at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. 
(Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images)

But, Hurts isn’t anticipated to 100% wholesome when the sport kicks off at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday. Hurts’ teammate, offensive lineman Jordan Mailata rapidly backed up his quarterback saying that it’s his job to guard the sign caller.

“If he is received a bounty, I’ve received a bounty,” left deal with Mailata mentioned. “It’s my job to make it possible for bounty is not claimed and do every thing I can to execute the correct method and the correct performs and ensure he stays clear and I keep soiled.”

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Hurts racked up the fourth most speeding yards by a quarterback within the NFL this season with 760 yards. The Eagles went 14-1 in video games the Hurts began this season and every of these contests normally featured a number of quarterback designed runs.

Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball within the third quarter of a recreation towards the Tennessee Titans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 04, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

He solely carried the ball 9 occasions for 13 yards within the Week 18 contest.

This time round, Hurts will probably need to strike a steadiness between defending himself and being extra lively along with his legs to maintain the Giants sincere, as he did within the Dec. 11 matchup between these two groups — a 48-22 Philadelphia victory.

Now, with a visit to the NFC Championship recreation on the road, Hurts will probably have to search out the steadiness between defending his shoulder and utilizing his operating prowess to place strain on the opposing staff.

“We know we’re taking part in a extremely good staff; they’ve a extremely good protection, and so they do plenty of actually good issues — that is on each side of the ball,” Hurts mentioned.