Status vague for hobbled Hurts, Kelce
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni typically adds “he should be good” or “most likely he’ll be out” dispensing the early injury reports.
Sirianni made exceptions Monday for quarterback Jalen Hurts, who rolled an ankle in a 13-6 loss to the New York Giants and center Jason Kelce, who injured a knee. Both played to the end but at less than 100 percent. They were reevaluated Monday and considering the nature of the injuries – both hobbled off the field – are anything but slam dunks to be in the lineup next Sunday when the Eagles play the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Vague was the word for both players, although when pressed, Sirianni threw in a “hopeful” with Hurts.
“We’re not there yet,” Sirianni replied when asked if there was a possibility of Hurts missing the first start of his NFL career. “I’m hopeful. Jalen is hopeful that he’ll play. Again, you got to see how these things go. We’ll see how the rehab goes the next two days and have more of an update for you on Wednesday. He’s sore right now. Not putting any time restrictions on him or anything like that. We’ll see how he’s doing as the week goes.”
Only the Eagles know exactly how serious the injury is. But the injury news certainly isn’t good for a beat-up Eagles offense that for sure will be without the services of Jack Driscoll, the starter at right guard and a valuable contributor. Earlier this season he started at right tackle.
Sirianni said Driscoll is headed to injured reserve with a high ankle sprain. Since it’s Driscoll’s second stint on the list this season, he’s done until next year.
The Eagles rolled with Nate Herbig at right guard when Driscoll hobbled off Sunday at MetLife. Though the run game didn’t miss a beat, the pass protection was ordinary, and along with Hurts’ numerous secondguessable decisions and erratic throws, another part of the reason the passing game was almost historically awful.
While Sirianni said he doesn’t have to name a starter right now, that’s likely because Herbig could
be the starting pivot this weekend, ending a streak of 117 straight starts by Kelce. Sua Opeta is another viable option at right guard because Sirianni said veteran guard Brandon Brooks (torn pectoral muscle) won’t be reevaluated until after the bye week.
Hurts played the worst game of his career Sunday, throwing three interceptions, including two in the red zone while connecting on just 14 of 31 attempts for 129 yards and a rating of 17.5. Eight rushes for 77 yards did nothing to assuage criticism of his lack of polish as a passer in 16 starts with the Birds. Hurts is 6-10 in that role, including 5-7 this season. The injury might have had something to do with his mechanics late in the game.
ProFootballDoc.com cited video of running back Boston Scott stepping on Hurts’ left ankle early in the fourth quarter. Calling it a mild sprain, Dr. David Chao of the website said Hurts could miss practice time this week and have limited mobility versus the Jets.
With the bye week following the Jets outing, the Eagles (5-7) would have to determine if it’s best to sit Hurts for a couple of weeks.
The Eagles have an accomplished replacement at quarterback in Gardner Minshew, who was 7-13 in starts over two seasons with the dysfunctional Jacksonville Jaguars. Reid Sinnett (6-4, 225), a Joe Flaccosized prospect, also is on the 53-man roster.
The Eagles can ill afford to lose Kelce, who lobbied to get back on the field Sunday after Herbig’s second costly holding penalty wiped out a scoring run by Boston Scott.
“Kelce just showed his grit and his drive and his toughness and came back in and played, and so, again, we’ll have more information about him on Wednesday, as well,” Sirianni said. “I know he’s sore today, but obviously he came back in and willed himself to play.”
The 34-year-old Kelce played with significantly less range Sunday but no less purpose and leadership, the latter a huge key for a young Eagles squad trying to establish a winning identity. His presence means a lot to his teammates.
“He’s definitely a big-time leader,” Scott said. “Whenever I make dumb mistakes like that it really hurts me because guys like that have been in the league for such a long time and you know, you don’t know how many years they have left. You know what I’m saying? Guys like that make me want to give it my all.”
Additionally for the Eagles, running back Miles Sanders aggravated a foot injury versus the Giants, although he got back into the game. Sirianni said he’d have more information Wednesday on Sanders, adding “but he’s headed in the right direction.”
Running back Jordan Howard (knee sprain) also is making progress, per Sirianni.