Jalen Hurts Taps Old College Coach After First Loss In A Long Time
PHILADELPHIA – He didn’t say when he talked to Nick Saban, only that he did. Recently. Perhaps this week, even, after Jalen Hurts tasted defeat as the Eagles' starting quarterback for the first time in 18 straight games that he started and finished, dating back to Sept. 16, 2024, against Atlanta.
That was more than a calendar year ago. That’s kinda crazy.
“However long ago it was, you can be on top one day and on the bottom the next, so it’s the perspective of a competitor that you can never get too high, never get too low,” he said. “It’s the NFL. While it is an agonizing feeling, you have to take pride in everything that’s required to win.”
Hurts reference his days at Alabama and some of the lessons Saban taught him, especially about winning the fourth quarter, something that eluded the Eagles in their first loss of the season when the Denver Broncos outscored them 18-0 over the final 15 minutes.
So, the quarterback checked in with his coach.
“We had a conversation, caught up a little bit,” said Hurts. “It’s always good to get good direction from him and hear his voice and his perspective.”
Jalen Hurts Chased Hail Mary: "I Hate To Lose"
Hurts hates to lose. Most players, especially quarterbacks, despise it, but have you ever seen one throw a Hail Mary Pass at the end of a game, take off toward the end zone looking for a fortunate carom?
That’s what Hurts did in the dying seconds of Sunday’s 21-17 loss to the Broncos – throw and sprint. Hurts took it upon himself to try that. Why?
“You never know,” he said. “I hate to lose.”
Perhaps more than two rushing attempts might have given the Eagles a win. The rushing attempts tied for the fewest in his career. The last time he ran just twice was Week 17 two years ago in a loss to the Giants.
The coaches said it was matter of a lot of RPOs that were called in the game, and that’s why the total was so low. Hurts gave his take.
“I’m not thinking about those things throughout the game,” he said. “I’m not thinking about how many times I’ve thrown the ball, how many times I’ve ran the ball, if I’ve had zero completions in a half or how many yards we might’ve thrown for in a half. You don’t catch a feel for those things.”
It’s always been about winning no matter what it takes for Hurts. He hates losing so much that he is glad the Eagles have a short week and will travel to North Jersey to play the Giants, to get rid of Sunday’s bad taste.
“Thank God it’s a short week,” he said. “Tough week at my house.”
Packers Eyeing DT Signing Amid Concerns About Devonte Wyatt
The Green Bay Packers are eyeing some reinforcements for the interior of their defensive line amid injury concerns with defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt.
According to the NFL’s official transaction wire, the Packers hosted defensive tackles Tommy Akingbesote, Anthony Campbell, Keondre Coburn, Fabien Lovett and Omari Thomas on Monday for roster workouts ahead of their first practice for Week 6.
Coburn — a 2023 sixth-round pick for Kansas City — is the only of the five workout players who has played regular-season NFL snaps, having appeared in six games for the Chiefs and 19 games (with one start) for the Tennessee Titans in his first two seasons. He has also played far more defensive snaps (233) than special teams snaps (26).
Akingbesote could also intrigue the Packers. A seventh-round rookie, he recorded four total tackles (one for a loss) in three preseason appearances for the Dallas Cowboys in August, though the Cowboys did not retain him for their 53-man roster. He also spent two weeks on the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad but did not receive an elevation.
The Packers (2-1-1) did not announce any roster moves following the workouts, but they could still sign one of the five workout players before facing the Cincinnati Bengals (2-3) on Sunday. All five are likely practice-squad candidates, not 53-man roster targets.
Workouts Raise Concerns About Devonte Wyatt’s Status
Whether the Packers sign any of the five workout players could depend on the condition of Wyatt, who is still nursing a knee injury that forced him out early in Week 4’s draw.
Wyatt exited in the second quarter against the Cowboys after landing awkwardly on his knee in an attempt to chase down running back Miles Sanders at the end of a run play. While he walked off under his own power, he did not return for the rest of the game.
The Packers, who had led 13-2 when Wyatt left the game, allowed the Cowboys to rack up 38 points without their top defensive tackle, settling for a 40-40 tie in prime time.
During the bye week, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur classified Wyatt’s knee injury as “week-to-week,” but the 2022 first-round pick also did not practice Monday to start the week of preparation for the Bengals. While the Packers could provide more clues as to his status when they release the week’s first injury report on Wednesday, he likely won’t suit up for them on Sunday afternoon if he remains a non-participant at practice.
Devonte Wyatt Remains Biggest Injury After Bye Week
Wyatt’s injury could become a concern for the Packers against the Bengals, especially after how much their defensive interior struggled in his absence against the Cowboys.
Fortunately for them, they are otherwise looking much healthier after the bye week.
The Packers had both of their injured starting offensive linemen — right tackle Zach Tom (oblique) and left guard Aaron Banks (groin) — back at practice on Monday, seemingly giving both of them a shot at playing after missing the Cowboys game.
The Packers also opened the 21-day practice windows for both wide receiver Christian Watson and interior offensive lineman Jacob Monk to return to the 53-man roster. Watson had started the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as he recovered from last January’s ACL tear, while Monk landed on the injured reserve list with a return designation when the team made its 53-man roster cuts in August.
Wyatt and second-round rookie right tackle Anthony Belton (ankle) were the only two Packers on the 53-man roster who did not participate in Monday’s first practice.
