Jalen Hurts knows the score.
He’s a target every time he steps onto a soccer field. Even more so now that he has suffered a shoulder injury. Such is the life of an NFL quarterback. But the Philadelphia Eagles signal caller says he’s ready to go into Saturday’s playoff game against NFC East rivals New York Giants.
After missing Weeks 16 and 17 with a shoulder sprain and being limited in Week 18 against the Giants, Hurts was absent the Eagles injury report on Tuesday. He will “just play my game” on Saturday for a place in the NFC Championship.
“It’s Soccer” Hurts told reporters on Tuesday. “I have a bounty on my head every week when I hit the field. I’m gonna go out there and just play my game. Whatever happens, happens.”
By “my game,” Hurts probably means he’ll be ready to resume his dual threat role and face the consequences when they come. It’s a role conspicuously absent from Philadelphia’s Week 18 win over the Giants, which saw Hurts cover just 13 yards on nine carries against a team that was resting its starters. He only played because the NFC No. 1 was at stake. Drafted runs, which are a staple of the Eagles game plan, were limited as he played through the lingering injury.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 8: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs onto the field before a game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on January 8, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Hurts is most dangerous when he’s threatening to run the ball. He earned his first Pro Bowl spot this season while averaging 50.7 yards on 11 rushing attempts per game. He had 13 rushing touchdowns on the ground alongside a career-best passing performance that included 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
If he plays at that level Saturday, the Eagles should beat a Giants team they swept in the regular season. Head coach Nick Sirianni sounded confident Hurts would be able to play his game.
“He’s better today than two weeks ago” Siriani told reporters. “He’s getting better and better and he’s feeling good. I’ll let him tell you how he feels.”
The story goes on
How is Jalen feeling?
“I’m feeling good,” Hurts said.
Of course, the Giants don’t want to make it easy for him. But Hurts didn’t imply he was expecting a foul with his “bounty” joke — he was just acknowledging the reality of being a quarterback in the NFL
“Obviously the quarterback gets a lot of attention,” Hurts clarified. “I think every quarterback in the league has a bounty on them in some way — to stop them.”