The Eagles coaches are back to work on Monday, and head coach Nick Sirianni spoke to reporters and gave some injury updates, as well as talked about how to coach through a slump like they’re experiencing. He also talked about having Jeff Lurie’s support, and how they’re very conscious about the challenge of changing a defensive play caller mid-season.
When asked if he would be making any changes to the offensive or defensive play calling, Sirianni was direct and succinct, “No.” Here’s what else the head coach had to say:
Sirianni confirmed that Sydney Brown will miss the rest of the year, after the safety posted as much earlier in the day. He said his heart breaks for guys like Brown and Nakobe Dean who are out for an entire season. “I have sympathy for them because I know how hard that is when you want to be out on the field with your brothers playing, and you can’t be because your body won’t let you. That really is a tough thing.”
The head coach also said that they’ll have to see as the week progresses as to whether they’ll have DeVonta Smith, Cam Jurgens and/or A.J. Brown against the Bucs on Monday night. “We need all hands on deck to do the things we want to do. We’ll see how the week progresses. Hopeful on everybody.”
He was also asked about Jalen Hurts going back in the game after dislocating his finger, and how the QB thankfully avoided a fracture and more significant injury. “I was watching him closely when he came out of the tent and watching him throw. He looked at me and he said, ‘I’m going,’ got his helmet, picked it up, and that gives you goosebumps to think about one of your best players doing that and fighting through for his teammates.
And so yeah, we’ll see. We’ll see as the week progresses, but I know he’s going to be sore. There’s no doubt about that, and I know that finger is going to get stiff and he’s going to have to go through hard work to make sure that he’s ready to go. But I have no doubt that he’s going to do everything he can do to do that, and that he’ll be able to play through his bumps and bruises because I’ve seen him do it.
I’ve seen him do it over and over and over again. And, you guys can ask him more about that question when y’all talk to him, but, man, I can’t say enough for how tough he is, and he’ll do everything he can do to play and play at a high level this Monday night.”
