During a media session at the NovaCare Complex before the Philadelphia Eagles’ Friday practice, head coach Nick Sirianni appeared to unintentionally reveal that star quarterback Jalen Hurts is dealing with an ankle injury before quickly attempting to backtrack. The exchange provided an interesting glimpse into the health status of Hurts as the Eagles prepare for their upcoming divisional clash.
The exchange began when a reporter pointed out that Hurts, who had been listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice for rest purposes, rarely misses practice for simple “load management.” The implication was that there might be more to Hurts’ absence than just routine rest, given his consistent participation in practices.
Sirianni responded in a way that seemed to confirm those suspicions. “Yeah, he’s dealing with the … it was on the injury report … Dealing with the ankle and just making sure we’re cautious with him,” Sirianni said, appearing to slip up by mentioning an ankle issue that had not been officially disclosed.
The response caused a stir among reporters, leading to some confusion in the room. Reporters were quick to note that Hurts had not been listed with any specific injury on the official practice report. One reporter pressed Sirianni, asking directly whether Hurts was actually dealing with an ankle injury.
Before Sirianni could answer, a member of the Eagles’ public relations team stepped in, clarifying that Hurts’ listing was purely for rest. Sirianni then backtracked, saying, “It was a rest, yeah. Sorry. I thought you were talking about something else.” When pressed again on whether Hurts had an ankle injury, Sirianni reiterated that it was simply a rest day for Hurts at Wednesday’s practice.
Despite the clarification, it appears there may have been some truth to Sirianni’s initial statement. A league source later informed Tim McManus of ESPN that Hurts has indeed been managing a “mild ankle issue” for the past couple of weeks.
This suggests that while the Eagles officially listed Hurts’ limited practice as a rest day, there might have been an underlying injury concern that the team was attempting to keep quiet.
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The revelation, however accidental, has shed light on Hurts’ health as the Eagles approach a crucial divisional matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Eagles are not the first team to be cautious with injury information, especially when dealing with a key player like their starting quarterback.
By listing Hurts as limited for rest, Philadelphia may have hoped to prevent opponents from gaining insight into Hurts’ condition. However, Sirianni’s slip-up has pulled back the curtain on what might be a more serious issue than initially disclosed.
Hurts’ health is now likely to become a major talking point heading into Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. The Eagles have been relying on Hurts’ dual-threat abilities all season, and any potential limitation could impact their offensive game plan.
Additionally, the inadvertent disclosure could attract the attention of the league office, as the NFL has strict guidelines regarding the transparency of player injuries.
According to the NFL’s Personnel Report Policy, “All players who have reportable injuries must be listed on the Practice Report, even if the player takes all the reps in practice, and even if the team is certain that he will play in the upcoming game.” The league requires full disclosure to maintain fairness and transparency, and teams that attempt to conceal injuries could face penalties.
For now, it remains to be seen how much Hurts’ ankle will affect his performance, if at all. The Eagles will be hoping that the injury is indeed mild, as reported, and that Hurts will be able to play at full strength against the Cowboys.
The outcome of this game could have significant implications for the NFC East standings, and the health of Jalen Hurts will undoubtedly be a key factor in the Eagles’ ability to compete.
As the Eagles prepare for Sunday, the media and fans alike will be keeping a close eye on Hurts’ status. Whether or not Sirianni intended to disclose the ankle injury, the cat is now out of the bag, and it adds another layer of intrigue to what promises to be an exciting divisional matchup.
