Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts sounds ready for the New York Giants to target his sprained throwing shoulder during Saturday’s playoff game between the NFC East rivals.
“It’s football. I’ve got a bounty on me every week I go out there on the field,” Hurts told reporters on Tuesday, per Tim McManus of ESPN. “So, I’m going to go out there and just play my game, and whatever happens, happens.”
Hurts was a legitimate Most Valuable Player candidate when healthy this season until, as McManus pointed out, the 24-year-old sprained the SC joint in his throwing shoulder in Week 15 on Dec. 18. While Hurts was able to return to the lineup for the regular-season finale against none other than the Giants on Jan. 8, it’s thought he may not be fully healthy again until the offseason.
Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata insisted that it’s his “job to make sure that bounty isn’t claimed” when the Giants travel to Lincoln Financial Field this coming weekend. Hurts’ comfort level, not Mailata’s performance, will likely determine how much the signal-caller attempts to make plays with his legs against New York.
According to ESPN, Hurts finished the regular season fourth among quarterbacks with 760 rushing yards and tied for second among all players with 13 rushing touchdowns. He was also fourth among eligible passers with a 66.4 total QBR, 10th with 3,701 passing yards, third with an average of 8.0 yards per pass attempt and 14th with 22 passing scores across 15 games.
