Hackenberg struggles, Eagles rally to beat Jets
PHILADELPHIA » Christian Hackenberg had a rough audition for an NFL roster spot, tossing two interceptions but the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles rallied to beat the New York Jets 10-9 on Thursday night to avoid a winless preseason.
Joe Callahan threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Matt Jones with 18 seconds left to lift Philadelphia (1-3).
Jason Myers kicked field goals of 58 and 43 yards for the Jets (13). New York’s defense didn’t allow a touchdown in August until the final drive.
Eagles quarterbacks Carson Wentz, Nick Foles and Nate Sudfeld watched from the sideline, while Jets rookie Sam Darnold also was a spectator. Darnold is expected to be New York’s starting quarterback in Week 1. Wentz is still recovering from knee surgery last December and is waiting for medical clearance to play. Foles, the Super Bowl MVP, would start the opener if Wentz can’t go.
Hackenberg didn’t take a snap in two seasons with the Jets after he was selected in the second round of the 2016 draft. He signed with the Eagles earlier in the month as the fifth quarterback and has no chance to make the roster so he was playing for his next job.
After replacing Callahan in the first half, Hackenberg threw two picks on his first three drives. He drove the Eagles from the 1 to the Jets 20 in the final 90 seconds of the first half, but ran out of time after a 19-yard scramble.
The former Penn State star also lost a fumble and finished 7 of 16 for 69. He ran for 66 yards.
Callahan returned to play the fourth quarter and threw an interception in the end zone with 4:02 left. But he completed his last seven passes, including the TD to Jones.
Jake Elliott nailed a 55-yarder for Philadelphia’s only points in the last two games.
Veteran Josh McCown started
for New York and John Wolford played the final 2 1/2 quarters. McCown was 3 of 8 for 26 yards.
Wolford was about to accept an internship at an equity firm in WinstonSalem, North Carolina before the Jets offered him a job on Sunday. He participated in rookie minicamp in May and practiced with the team for three days this week before seeing his first action. Wolford finished 8 of 20 for 89 yards and one interception. GOAL-LINE STAND » Philadelphia’s Aziz Shittu stopped Thomas Rawls on fourth down at the Eagles 1 late in the second quarter. The Jets began the drive at the 8 after J.J. Wilcox intercepted Hackenberg’s pass and returned it 25 yards. LEG UP » Myers could’ve solidified his roster spot by going 2 for 2. He was competing with Taylor Bertolet for the job after being claimed off waivers last week from Jacksonville. Bertolet made a 19-yarder. UP NEXT » Jets: at Detroit on Monday night Sept. 10.
Eagles: host Atlanta in a playoff rematch in the NFL opener next Thursday night.