Eagles coach Nick Sirianni declines to set timetable for Jalen Hurts return, expresses confidence in QB Tanner McKee
Sirianni mainly pointed back to the Eagles' statement about Hurts' health issued Thursday.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni on Friday offered an update on Jalen Hurts, who was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers due to a superficial blood clot in his calf.
Sirianni was mostly mum when asked about his quarterback, given the sensitive nature of the injury. He pointed instead to the lengthy statement the team released Thursday, emphasizing that Hurts’ health is the team’s No. 1 priority.
“I’m not gonna get too much into that,” Sirianni said. “I know there’s a great deal of interest in Jalen’s health, but I’m not gonna get too much into any of that. Jalen’s health is of utmost importance to all of us in the building. I care deeply about Jalen. Like I said, not gonna get too much into that.”
“I love Jalen,” Sirianni added. “Just want him to be healthy.”
It’s unclear how long Hurts will be sidelined. Sirianni echoed what the Eagles’ statement said — that they’re determining “the appropriate course of treatment” because Hurts’ “health and safety are our highest priority.”
In the meantime, the Eagles will turn to 26-year-old Tanner McKee, 26, who is making his first regular-season start since Week 18 last season.
McKee struggled at times this summer, logging 263 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in three preseason games. He initially lost the No. 2 quarterback job to Andy Dalton, who was cut last week. McKee regained the job following Dalton’s messy cameo against the Chicago Bears in Week 3.
Sirianni says he is confident in what McKee, who was once viewed as a promising late-round prospect, can do in offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s offense.
“I have a lot of faith in Tanner,” Sirianni said. “Really excited for his opportunity, but obviously bummed for Jalen.”
