“That Is the Kind of Person That He Is”- Head Coach Lauds Jalen Hurts for Delivering Despite Not Being Fully Fit
Going into the 2022 season, for most fans and pundits alike, the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs were considered front runners to win the Super Bowl. However, as the season got underway, the Philadelphia Eagles slowly but steadily established themselves as a contender alongside the Bills and the Chiefs. They started their season with an 8-0 run which saw them break franchise records. Their first loss came against the Commanders. At the end of 17 game weeks, the Eagles finished with a record of 14-3. Of the three losses this season, two of the losses for the Eagles had one thing in common, the absence of Jalen Hurts as the starting quarterback.
GO BIRDSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/aQngnueSo3
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 9, 2023
In his absence, the Eagles lost against the Cowboys and the Saints. Heading into the final game of the season, there were doubts regarding Hurts’ fitness and if he would be able to play the final game or not. Hurts took to the center position against the Giants and delivered a 22-16 win to round off what has been a brilliant regular season.
Coach reveals the state of Jalen Hurts’ fitness
After the game, head coach Nick Sirianni shared his thoughts on Hurts and his performance in the game. He said, “We didn’t feel like there was more risk, but I know he was hurting. He was hurting bad, but that’s the kind of competitor that he is. That is the kind of person that he is and the kind of teammate and leader that he is that he was able to go out there and tough through it.”
Excited to get to work@JalenHurts | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/1GWdzXt4YC
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 9, 2023
Despite being injured, Hurts finished the game with 229 passing yards, an interception, and 13 rushing yards to his name. The win also gave them the top spot in the NFC East ahead of the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles will now have a week of rest before they find out who they will be playing in the divisional rounds that are set to start in two weeks. Hurts finished the regular season with 3,701 passing yards (10th in the league), 22 (14th in the league).
