Philadelphia is 6-1 and tied for the NFL’s best record, but quarterback Jalen Hurts has been sporadic.
Now, he’s banged up.
He wore a brace on his left knee in the second half of the Eagles’ 17-10 win over Miami last week, but he did not appear on the injury report this week.
Last year, Hurts sprained his shoulder and missed two games. In 2021, he struggled with a sprained ankle that limited his effectiveness late in the season.
Hurts said he doesn’t expect the knee to affect him Sunday against Washington. Nor, he said, will it change his approach. He’s still going to run when the situation calls for it. After all, when he signed his five-year, $255 million contract extension in the offseason, Hurts vowed not to change his game.
Hurts has passed for 1,821 yards with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions. He’s rushed for 274 yards and six touchdowns.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever been banged up as a runner,” Hurts told reporters. “Everything comes from within the pocket. The illusion is — or the narrative is — that we run the ball. That’s not always the case. Not here. I don’t want to make it bigger than what it is. I think it’s something that comes with every player in this league. Things happen in this league, and you just try to avoid them.”
Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni said he’s not changing his gameplan.
“We’re confident that he’ll be ready to go, but any time these guys are working through pain and things like that (you’re not sure). We anticipate him to go, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy,” Sirianni said. “I think he’s feeling better. We’re hopeful there will be no limitations on Sunday.”
Marriage of Dalvin Cook-New York Jets runs into trouble
Running back Dalvin Cook was supposed to be one of the prizes of free agency when the New York Jets signed him.
Minnesota released Cook in the offseason after four consecutive 1,100-yard seasons. He signed a one-year deal worth $7 million with the Jets.
Cook has been frustrated with his role and intimated he wants to be traded. He has 39 carries for 109 yards, a 2.8 average, and no touchdowns.
He hasn’t gained more than 33 yards in a game this season.
“For me, I let the business side handle the business side,” Cook told reporters. “I’ll be ready, man. Every day I go out there, I bust my ass. I do the things I need to do to be ready when my number’s called and be ready to perform.”
Breece Hall, who missed last season with a torn ACL, has gained 426 yards on 66 carries, a 6.5 average, and two touchdowns.
That’s why Cook isn’t getting many carries, and he’s probably not going to get many Sunday against the New York Giants.
Dak Prescott enjoys sparring with Dallas Cowboys naysayers
While Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons gets frustrated by the constant national dialogue surrounding the Cowboys, quarterback Dak Prescott said it doesn’t bother him.
That’s the better approach.
“I’ve been in this organization eight years; whether you bitch about it or not, it’s not going to stop,” Prescott told reporters. “That’s just how it goes. To me, it’s fun. Because when things go our way, and we win this thing, it will make it all that much sweeter. Say what you want; we get to go out there, and we get to do it.”
Dallas, which trails Philadelphia by 1.5 games in the NFC East, plays the Rams on Sunday. They’re trying to win their 11th straight home game, which would match their longest streak since an 11-game streak, spanning 1991-92 at Texas Stadium.
“This is about us running our own race,” Prescott said. “Right now, we’re not looking at anybody else. We know what this league is about. We know how tough it is. We’re just going to run our own race and lock in on who we are.”
Related: Rams Face Critical Decision After Cowboys Game
Top draft picks Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud face off
Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, the first two players in the draft, will play each other for the first time when the Carolina Panthers face the Houston Texans on Sunday. They’re friends who have known each other since middle school.
Young was the first player picked, but Stroud is having a better season for the Texans.
Stroud ranks among the NFL’s top five in passing yards per game (276.7), passing yards per attempt (7.8), touchdown-to-interception differential (9-1) and his team is 3-3.
Young is averaging 193.4 yards passing with six touchdowns and four interceptions. The Panthers are 0-6.
“That’s my brother, man. He’s someone I have a lot of respect for — known him since like middle school,” Stroud said. “We got really close, probably after high school, and [I’m] always rooting for him. I know he’s always rooting for me.
Related: Is CJ Stroud A Fantasy Must Start?
“It’s a blessing to just know that we are from the same area — grew up knowing each other and then our parents know each other. Our moms are really close. Our dads know each other.”
Carolina coach Frank Reich said it is too early to predict how each player’s career would play out.
“We got the guy we wanted to get and couldn’t be happier about that in every way,” Reich told reporters. “I would say this: I’m happy for C.J. He’s had six good games, and I have no doubt he’ll have many more good games. But I know this: when it comes to evaluating quarterbacks or any position, it’s years, not weeks.
“You can’t put a label on a guy after six weeks or even a year. I’ve seen guys have Pro Bowl seasons and a year later, fighting to be a backup somewhere else. I mean, it’s a crazy league. What you’re looking for and what we’re looking for, not just from our quarterback, but in every position, is sustained success at a high level for a very long time and you can’t measure it in weeks on that.”
Saquon Barkley’s dad rooting against him on Sunday
Saquon Barkley’s dad is a huge New York Jets fan. He even has a Jets tattoo.
That’s one reason Barkley remains salty about his 13-carry, one-yard performance against the Jets in a 34-27 loss in 2019.
“He’s still rooting for the Jets this game, but he hopes we win this time,” Barkley said. “So, I got him to say that out of his mouth two or three days ago. I finally got my father on my side.”
Barkley has just 284 yards on 74 carries this season, a 3.8 average, and one touchdown.
Whatever happens Sunday against the Jets, coach Brian Daboll said Barkley isn’t going anywhere.
“That’s not happening,” Daboll said.
Barkley has said he doesn’t want to be traded.
“Sitting here, everyone knows how I feel,” Barkley told reporters. “I don’t think anyone in their right mind would want to get traded anywhere. It’s not an easy thing to do. You have to move. I have a family. I would love to be here. But like I said, it’s not in my control. My focus is to be the leader I can be for this team and get this thing on the right track.”
Around the league
TYREEK HILL INJURY: Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill said his sore hip won’t keep him from playing Sunday against New England. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hopes he’s right.
“I don’t think anyone can emulate what Tyreek does on the field,” Tagovailoa said. “His speed, his cuts in and out of breaks. I don’t think there’s anyone that can emulate him. He’s in his own league. He’s one of a kind. Needless to say, I think people forget about the things Jaylen Waddle can do, the things that he already has done for our team since his rookie year. And there are many other guys that I think you can’t sleep on.”
GEORGE PICKENS vs. JAGUARS SECONDARY: Steelers receiver George Pickens said he’s unimpressed with Jacksonville’s secondary, even though they have intercepted 13 passes.
Pickens has caught 27 passes for 500 yards and two touchdowns. He’s averaging 18.5 yards per catch.
“I think their D-Line, they depend on their D-Line a lot,” Pickens said. “With their team, you know, having a lot of first-round guys, that D-Line, that’s what they depend on a lot, and they kind of, you know, hope, you know what I mean? Hope the guys hold up long enough. It’s kind of a hope defense.”
Jean-Jacques Taylor is the NFL Insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter. He’s the author of Coach Prime: Deion Sanders and the Making of Men.