Is Jalen Hurts playing tonight? Latest on Eagles QB for preseason game vs Patriots
Jalen Hurts, along with other starters, is expected to be on the bench when the Eagles take on the Patriots during their 2024 preseason game. While nothing is certain until the actual moment, all indicators are pointing in that direction.
Philadelphia and New England have had some drills in joint practice and with the starters featuring there, it makes scant sense for them to go out again. More likely than not, it will remain something for the backups to show their talent as they try to avoid the cut.
But things could change at the last instant. That is what happened before the Eagles' match against the Ravens last week. Jalen Hurts and other starters were in line to start but head coach Nick Sirianni took a decision before the game to rest them. Reasons such as a wet pitch and excessively warm weather were given.
Given that this is the second week of preseason for the Eagles and in a couple of weeks Jalen Hurts will have to lead the team out in their season opener, Sirianni could decide they need some reps in preseason to shape up for the games that matter. The week before the regular season begins could be one that the head coach refuses to take a risk on for giving his starters match practice, as any injury then could cause players to sit out in the upcoming week.
For the Eagles, it is important they get the decision right since they finished the season in a horrible slump in 2023. Both their offensive and defensive coordinators were changed and they will need Jalen Hurts and other starts to step up as the regular season begins and change the narrative that remains from last year.
Jalen Hurts has shown elite number for the Eagles in training camp
The coaching staff should not be too worried about Jalen Hurts' form going into the season. With all the usual caveats of practice being not the real thing, he has been genuinely impressive. He has attempted 219 passes and completed 176 of them. That's a conversion rate higher than 80 percent. He has accounted 18 touchdowns and not thrown a single interception, which is perhaps the most important statistic.
Last year, especially towards the end of the season, there was a fear that the Eagles' starting quarterback might throw an inopportune interception. He looks to be getting past that. Considering that in practice people are generally trying new things, there is always the chance of something going wrong. But that he has been this clean should encourage Philadelphia supporters.
It also shows that Jalen Hurts seems comfortable in the new system being put in place by Kellen Moore. That is something for people to keep an eye on because the Cowboys reportedly moved on from his given his penchant to throw more and use fewer running plays. In such schemes, the quarterback must keep the ball safe, something that Dak Prescott struggled with during Moore's tenure in Dallas.
Add in the fact that the Eagles quarterback is a decent dual-threat quarterback and he has to learn a system where designed runs might not come as frequently as they did. That he has been doing so well in training camp could prove to be the difference maker as Nick Sirianni debates whether to give him preseason snaps.
As they wrap up their 2024 preseason, first against the Patriots and then against the Vikings next week, the Eagles will be hoping that the Jalen Hurts from training camp is who will turn up for them when the regular season starts.