Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni backed himself into an awkward conversation with a reporter on Friday ahead of his team’s key divisional clash against the Dallas Cowboys.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was listed on the team’s Wednesday injury report for “rest” – akin to load management in the NBA. Philadelphia fans should know the phrase well, as they’re used to dealing with 76ers star (and oft-injured) center Joel Embiid.
Sirianni was subsequentially asked point blank about his quarterback’s status: “We haven’t really seen Jalen be held back for load management before. What was behind that on Wednesday?” a reporter queried.
“Yeah, he was dealing with – it was on the injury report, dealing with the ankle.,” Sirianni answered. “And, you know, making sure we’re cautious with everything.”
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Naturally, the press jumped at the chance to ask about this new ankle injury. “He wasn’t on the injury report with an ankle,” someone said. “I’m sorry, Jalen Hurts, it was an ankle injury?” another asked.
An Eagles PR official jumped in to pour cold water on the situation, saying “It was a rest.” A bemused Sirianni backtracked his initial response: “It was a rest, yeah. Sorry. I thought you were talking about something else,” he said.
A reporter asked one final follow-up: “Is Jalen dealing with an ankle problem, then?” Sirianni coyly responded with “no, [just] rest.”
Jalen Hurts (#1) showed no signs of injury in last Sunday’s win over the Jaguars (
Image:
Getty Images)
The Eagles’ fourth-year coach may have tipped to the NFL that Hurts is silently dealing with a minor ankle injury. If he is nursing a hurt ankle the Philadelphia intentionally lied in their reporting, the team may be subject to a potential fine.
The league’s policy states: “Failure to disclose a player’s injury is a violation of the NFL’s Personnel (Injury) Report Policy. The league has the authority to penalize teams for injury report violations.”
Hurts looked healthy in his team’s win last Sunday over the Jacksonville Jaguars, completing 18 of 24 passes for 230 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He added a further 67 yards and a score on the ground.
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Sirianni could have genuinely confused Hurts with the two players actually on the injury report with ankle issues in starting guard Meki Becton and reserve receiver Ainas Smith. However, it’s unlikely he would receive a question at a Friday press conference about either player.
The Eagles’ coach is already on hot water with man many Philadelphia fans. Last Sunday, he continuously committed to going for it on fourth down despite calls to take the points.
The 6-2 Eagles can close the gap on the first-place 7-2 Washington Commanders with a win over the struggling 3-5 Cowboys on Sunday. Philadelphia is currently 1-0 against the NFC East in 2024.
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