Last week’s injury report for the Eagles included a curious nomenclature on Friday. And Wednesday’s comments from the player at the center of the case only served to make it more curious.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts was listed as a full participant in Friday’s pregame practice against the Jaguars with a calf injury. He had no injury determination for Sunday’s game in London and he was never in question or doubt.
When the question came up during his midweek press conference, here’s what Hurts said: “It was a very unique experience, to say the least. I don’t want to get into the details of kind of leading up to the game and whatnot, but I got into the Rams game.”
There’s a lot there, in not so many words. What would be “very unique” about a calf injury that didn’t affect his practice reps? And why would it be a big secret?
The complicating factor is that the Eagles flew to London on Friday. Did he need medical attention in London? Would it be something the team doctors were able to provide? Did he have to visit a local hospital for this?
He said he was “spotted” during the Rams game, but he was not on the injury report for Wednesday or Thursday. Could it have happened on Sunday that would have resulted in symptoms on Friday. (A condition like separation syndrome usually appears much sooner.)
Regardless, many questions arise from what appears to be very innocuous and basic on the surface. Hurts’ words deepen the mystery.
He remains on the Week 6 injury report ahead of Sunday’s game against the Panthers. Hurts was listed as a full participant in Wednesday’s practice because of a calf injury.
Whatever the explanation, there’s clearly more to the story than what the team has uncovered. And the NFL doesn’t require much more than the bare contents of the injury report.