Eagles overcome banged-up Jalen Hurts’ struggles with injury now a real concern

Eagles overcome banged-up Jalen Hurts’ struggles with injury now a real concern

PHILADELPHIA — Maybe the Eagles can make it all the way to a Super Bowl without a prolific pᴀssing attack.

Maybe they can win it all even though Jalen Hurts is hurting and not exactly looking like a franchise quarterback. 

Once again, Hurts made more noise with his legs than he did with his right arm, as Sunday’s 28-22 victory over the Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game at snowy Lincoln Financial Field was fueled by the rushing of Saquon Barkley and a ground game that churned through the Rams with the greatest of ease.

Jalen Hurts throws a pᴀss during the Eagles-Rams game on Jan. 19, 2025. Getty Images

There is nothing wrong with amᴀssing 285 rushing yards, and Hurts produced 44 of his 70 rushing yards with a first-quarter touchdown run. 

But the pᴀssing game once again lagged behind, with Hurts completing 15 of his 20 pᴀsses for only 128 yards.

His top wide receivers, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, were quiet. Brown caught two pᴀsses for 14 yards and Smith had four receptions for 21 yards. 

“We just didn’t connect,” Hurts said. “Just didn’t connect this time around. It’s been a minute in general since we’ve done that as a whole. So, holistically as an offense, we just want to go out there and take advantage of all the opportunities we have at hand and continue to learn from them.” 

Hurts was sacked seven times and lacked his usual mobility in escaping pressure.

In the final minute of the third quarter, Hurts was flung to the turf by nose tackle Neville Gallimore for a safety that trimmed the Eagles’ lead to 16-15. 

Jalen Hurts runs with the ball during the Eagles-Rams game on Jan. 19, 2025. AP

If not for Barkley’s franchise playoff record 205 rushing yards and two touchdowns, the Eagles would be finished for the season, rather than gearing up for the NFC Championship Game, which will be a third meeting with the Commanders — the teams split two games in the regular season. 

Will Hurts be ready, willing and able for that game? 

“Great question,” Hurts said. “Just seeing how the week will go. Seeing how things progress.” 

Is he confident he will make the start? 

“Yeah,” he said. 

Hurts twisted his left knee in the third quarter when he was sacked by safety Jaylen McCollough.

Jalen Hurts is sacked during the Eagles-Rams game on Jan. 19, 2025. AP

Hurts’ legs were pinned under his body and he grabbed at his left knee.

He spent time in the medical tent and when he returned to the field he was wearing a protective brace on his left knee. 

“Tough game,” Hurts said. “A challenging game. I was able to finish the game, and we will see how the week goes.” 

With snow falling and getting heavier in the second half, coating the entire field, throwing the ball was difficult, especially in the blustery conditions.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford struggled at times but he managed to complete 26 of 44 pᴀsses for 324 yards and two touchdowns.

He was able to push the ball down the field far more effectively than Hurts. 

“It was a new experience,” Hurts said of playing in the snow. “Definitely, next time that happens, I’ll be able to look back and pull from this game and be better from it.”

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