Jalen Hurts was limited for the Philadelphia Eagles’ Wednesday practice, but the club chalked up its quarterback’s reduced session as a rest day.
That excuse held until Friday, when Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni accidentally revealed that Hurts is battling an injury.
Jalen Hurts Injury Update Entering Week 10
Hurts didn’t take any reps during the portion of Wednesday’s practice that was open to reporters. While he was in uniform, Hurts watched as the Eagles’ other quarterbacks took reps.
After practice, Hurts told the media that Wednesday was a scheduled rest day. Philadelphia confirmed as much with its Wednesday practice report.
However, when asked on Friday about Hurts’ status, Sirianni noted that Hurts is battling an ankle injury.
Here’s video of the awkward exchange at today’s press conference where Nick Sirianni may have accidentally revealed that Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is dealing with an ankle injury. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/MZNUiMhoBA
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) November 8, 2024
Pressed about Hurts’ condition, Sirianni backtracked and said he thought he was being asked about “something else.”
However, ESPN’s Tim McManus reported Friday that Hurts has been dealing with a “mild ankle issue for a couple weeks.” Another source told ESPN that the Eagles’ QB has “lower leg soreness,” indicating that Philadelphia prevented Hurts from “dropping and planting” during the club’s individual sessions on Wednesday.
Hurts returned to a full practice on Thursday. On Friday, he warmed up separately from the Eagles’ other quarterbacks but was spotted participating in the team’s dropback drills.
There’s been no indication that Hurts is in danger of missing Philadelphia’s Week 10 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Still, his ankle injury will be worth monitoring in the weeks to come.
Meanwhile, the Eagles could receive a call from the NFL regarding their injury reporting procedures. The league won’t be pleased if Philadelphia hasn’t listed a Hurts ankle injury, especially if he’s been battling it for weeks. Notably, Wednesday represented the first “rest” practice designation of Hurts’ career, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Who Is the Eagles’ Backup Quarterback?
If Hurts has to miss time this season, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett would take over under center for the Eagles.
Philadelphia acquired Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round pick (No. 120) from the Pittsburgh Steelers over the offseason in exchange for a 2024 third-round choice (No. 98) and two 2025 seventh-round picks.
Pickett, the Steelers’ first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, wore out his welcome in Pittsburgh, then struggled mightily for the Eagles during the 2024 preseason.
Twenty-four quarterbacks handled at least 50 dropbacks during this year’s exhibition campaign. Here’s what Pickett ranked in various passing metrics among that group:
- Yard per attempt: 4.9 (23rd)
- EPA per dropback: -0.27 (23rd)
- Negative or zero-yard attempts: 29.5% (21st)
Pickett faced preseason competition from 2023 sixth-round Tanner McKee but still emerged as the Eagles’ QB2. Pro Football Network ranks Pickett as the NFL’s No. 21 backup quarterback, sandwiched between the Washington Commanders’ Marcus Mariota and the Buffalo Bills’ Mitchell Trubisky.