Eagles: Jalen Hurts' Knee Injury is Hurting Run Game
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been playing with a banged-up knee over the last five games and while his injury hasn't been affecting him in the pocket, it has been holding him back from running. Head coach Nick Sirianni would say otherwise that the run game is doing just fine, however, numbers don't lie. […]
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been playing with a banged-up knee over the last five games and while his injury hasn't been affecting him in the pocket, it has been holding him back from running.
Head coach Nick Sirianni would say otherwise that the run game is doing just fine, however, numbers don't lie.
"I think the run game is executing differently than what you've seen,” Sirianni said following the Eagles' win over the Cowboys. “Again, when you just look at a stat book, you're not going to get that information exactly the way it is, right? So, I mean, we run a jet sweep to D’Andre that goes for 22 yards; that counted as a pass."
The Eagles started the season off hot on the ground, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and 185.7 yards per game through the first three weeks. Since then, they have been averaging only 3.4 yards per carry and 101.7 yards per game.
Hurts only rushed for 36 yards against Dallas and was super hesitant versus Washington the week before as he only added six extra yards on the ground.
Sure, the Eagles have other weapons to run the ball but Hurts's ability to do both is what makes this offense so dangerous in the first place.
And if the Eagles plan on winning more games down the tougher part of their schedule, they're going to need a healthier Hurts who can run.
Run Defenses Eagles Face Next
Here's a look at the Eagles second half of their schedule and where their opponents' run defenses currently rank:
Week 11 at Kansas City Chiefs (No.9)
Week 12 vs. Buffalo Bills (No. 11)
Week 13 vs. San Francisco 49ers (No. 2)
Week 14 at Dallas Cowboys (No. 15)
Week 15 at Seattle Seahawks (No. 18)
Week 16 vs. New York Giants (No. 21)
Week 17 vs. Arizona Cardinals (No. 31)
Week 18 at New York Giants (No. 21)
That's five teams the Eagles face next who are not ranked in the top 10 in run defense that Hurts and Co. can take advantage of.
We'll look out for a brief update on Hurts' knee when he and Sirianni speak to the press on Thursday.
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