Hurts points blame at himself, wipes slate clean for Birds
Once more, with feeling, the Eagles are Jalen Hurts’ team.
Instead of trading social media barbs with critics, the route so often taken by veteran captains A.J. Brown and two weeks ago, Darius Slay, Hurts stood tall Thursday to clarify his controversial remarks that the Eagles weren’t “committed enough” following their shocking 20-17 Monday night loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
“When you think holistically about the things you want to accomplish and everything we’re trying to do, it all runs through me, it all starts with me,” Hurts said. “So, when I say we, I mean me, because I’m the point guard out there. I’m the one that makes everything go, and I’m the guy everyone trusts to do it and set the pace for everything. That’s how I play, that’s in my leadership, that’s in every aspect of the game that comes with the shoes that I walk in.”
Hopefully the vets join
their younger captain on the high road while they still have a shot to save their season.
Hurts did not excuse himself from his mistakes. He was upset about throwing two more interceptions, giving him a dozen this season, tying him with Mac Jones for fourth most in the league. Hurts didn’t see the open running back Kenneth Gainwell to his left when he threw deep for Brown, who he trusted to go up and make a play. Safety Julian Love made it his second pick of the evening, and it touched off a noisy Seahawks celebration.
The bottom line is that with 17 turnovers, Hurts is tied for the league lead with Josh Allen, Joshua Dobbs and Sam Howell. Brutal, for sure.
“Some of them have been unfortunate,” Hurts said. “I think some of them have been unrhythmic, bad decisions. Ball security has become an issue for all of us, starting with me. I take ownership for a lot of that. It starts with me. Put it on me. We’ll be fine.”
Only five teams have a worse turnover differential than the Eagles, who are minus-6. None of those teams have winning records.
Hurts was asked if he wished that he’d checked the ball down to Gainwell.
“I wish I would’ve done a lot of things,” said Hurts, who rushed for a season-high 82 yards and two touchdowns. “There’s always plays you wish you could get back. In the Jets game, in the Vikings game, and all of these games throughout the year. It’s just a learning opportunity.”
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The Eagles’ injury list lengthened Thursday with wide receiver DeVonta Smith (knee) sitting out practice along with linebackers Zach Cunningham (knee) and
Nicholas Morrow (abdomen), guard Landon Dickerson (thumb surgery) and cornerback Slay (knee).
Rookie Tyler Steen likely will step in for Dickerson this week.
Right guard Cam Jurgens (pectoral muscle) practiced fully as did nickel corner Avonte Maddox (pectoral tear), who has his fingers crossed that he will be able to play in just his third game of the season. The Eagles activated the 21day practice window on Maddox.
Smith, who is approaching his second straight 1,000-yard receiving season with 74 catches for 957 yards (12.93) and six TDs, injured the knee against the Seahawks, per the Eagles.
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Nick Sirianni is 4-1 against the Giants, who are 13.5-point underdogs Christmas Day at Lincoln Financial Field. Giants head coach Brian Daboll is 0-3 vs. Sirianni and the Eagles. … Philadelphia is 2-4 in its last six games refereed by Ron Torbert, whose crew does their thing Monday. One of those Torbert games was a 13-7 loss to the Giants in Nov., 2021 at MetLife Stadium … The Eagles have committed seven turnovers since Week 12, tied for fourth-most in the NFL. … Only Lamar Jackson (209 yards) has rushed for more yards than Hurts (198) since Week 12.