Jalen Hurts’ fumbling issues resurfaced during the Philadelphia Eagles’ 33-13 loss to the Dallas Cowboys last week. Hurts fumbled against the Cowboys, and his fumbles have become a huge issue for the Eagles.
Hurts has fumbled in seven consecutive games, the longest streak by an NFL player since Carson Wentz fumbled in nine consecutive games in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Hurts has fumbled the ball eight times this season, which is tied for sixth in the NFL. Hurts has fumbled in 13 games this season after fumbling eight times during the entire 2022 regular season.
As the Eagles prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15 on Monday night, coach Nick Sirianni has emphasized the importance of ball protection. Sirianni wants Hurts to do more to defend the football while he’s being hit in passing situations or while carrying it.
“We have to do a better job of protecting the football going to the ground,” Sirianni told reporters on Tuesday. “Jalen has to do a better job with that, going to the ground, and we got to do a better job coaching that.”
During practice this week, Hurts practiced falling to the ground with the football in his hands.
Hurts has fumbled 26 times since becoming the full-time starter in 2021, which ranks fourth in the NFL behind Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (35), Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (29) and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (27).
“Protect the ball is kind of always a thing we push out every time we talk about a key to victory, ball security is a big thing, so you know that that’s a focus point,” Hurts said to the media on Thursday.
Hurts isn’t the only player that struggles to keep possession of the football. A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith, both wide receivers, fumbled against the Cowboys. The Eagles fumbled three times against the Cowboys.
The Eagles are 12th in the league with nine total lost fumbles this season.
