2 days Ago
PHILADELPHIA — Nearly lost in the shuffle around the Eagles’ decision to sit Saquon Barkley against the Giants was the fact that quarterback Jalen Hurts remained in concussion protocol. “He’s still in there,” coach Nick Sirianni said Wednesday. “We’ll see as the week progresses.
” Considering the Eagles’ first playoff game may be as early as Jan. 11 against the Green Bay Packers, Hurts’ status could soon become cause for concern. Sirianni said he isn’t even able to quantify his QB’s progress.
“I’m not sure,” he said. “I don’t think I (can) talk about the protocol. Protocol is what it is.
Again, we listen to the doctors, we follow the doctors’ advice in this. They do this by design, so the people that are involved in the concussion protocol are the ones that are handling those things. “We just take it day by day and see where they are each and every day.
” Hurts suffered the concussion nearly two weeks ago in Washington when he went down head-first at the end of a run in the first quarter. Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu made a helmet-to-helmet hit to Hurts’ left temple, which drove the right side of Hurts’ head into the ground.Medical officials removed him from the game for concussion testing, which he failed.
Second-string QB Kenny Pickett, still nursing a ribs injury, sat out of Thursday’s practice. In the 41-7 win over Dallas last week, he was 10 of 15 for 143 yards and a TD before giving way to Tanner McKee, who threw a pair of touchdowns, including the first of his NFL career. McKee and Ian Book took the practice snaps Thursday.
Linebacker Nakobe Dean (abdomen), tight end Dallas Goedert (knee), defensive end Bryce Huff (wrist) and running back Will Shipley (concussion) were all full participants Thursday, while most starters rested. • • • Barkley is one of six Eagles selected for the Pro Bowl representing the NFC. The others are linebacker Zack Baun, defensive tackle Jalen Carter, left guard Landon Dickerson, right tackle Lane Johnson and center Cam Jurgens.
Baun, whom the Eagles signed to a one-year contract in the offseason, is in his first season as a full-time starter. He has 150 tackles, including 11 for loss, 3.5 sacks, five quarterback hits, 14 quarterback pressures, five forced fumbles, an interception and a fumble recovery.
This is also the first selection for Carter, who has 42 tackles, including 12 for loss, 4.5 sacks, 61 combined QB hits and pressures, five pass deflections and two forced fumbles. He was a member of the All-Rookie Team a year ago after being picked ninth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
This marks the third straight selection for Dickerson. For Johnson, it’s the sixth in his 12-year pro career. And it’s a first for Jurgens, who moved from guard to center this season after Jason Kelce retired.
It’s doubtful anyone would have argued if right tackle Jordan Mailata and right guard Mekhi Becton had been named to the Pro Bowl as well, considering how well the entire offensive line has played in both the running game and pass protection. The Baltimore Ravens had the most Pro Bowl selections with nine, followed by Detroit’s seven. Minnesota, like the Eagles, had six players voted in.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, for the first time since becoming a starter in 2018, wasn’t selected. Pro Bowl picks are based on a vote by fans, players and coaches. The Pro Bowl will be in Orlando, Fla.
, on Feb. 2. If the Eagles make the Super Bowl, which is the following Sunday in New Orleans, obviously none of their players will participate in the Pro Bowl.
• • • As the Giants prepare to wrap up the season against the Eagles, a week after their former running back joined the 2,000-yards club, several players told the New York media that they’ve missed Barkley’s leadership. “For me, the biggest part of losing Saquon was the locker room aspect,” tight end Daniel Bellinger said. “Just having him as a leader and a guy that when there were times like, ‘What do we do?’ he would be like ‘Go play!’ He brought an energy that sometimes we needed out there.
” Safety Dane Belton: “The whole locker room, it wasn’t just the offense as far as the leadership perspective. You definitely lose that. And you look at the team, we’re super-young.
To that, it can’t help to lose a great leader like that. Definitely think it was a tough loss.” Head coach Brian Daboll, who may or may not retain his job at the end of the season, wouldn’t get into detail.
“Yeah, I’m just focused on the guys that are here,” he said. “Again, I’ve said this many times before, I’ve got a lot of appreciation and respect for Saquon. We’re going to work as hard as we can this week to prepare for the Eagles.
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