Since 2021, the year he was drafted just ahead of DeVonta Smith, Ja’Marr Chase has been targeted at least 10 times in 38 games. Justin Jefferson has been targeted at least 10 times in 39 games. CeeDee Lamb, 37.
Smith: 16.
The most recent: a 13-target, 10-catch explosion Sunday in Tennessee for 117 yards and a touchdown. Four of those targets came during the game-winning, fourth-quarter drive, when everyone in Nissan Stadium knew that Hurts would be looking for Smith on virtually every snap, the way Joe Burrow looks for Chase, Dak Prescott looks for Lamb, and whoever is Minnesota’s flavor of the moment looks for Jefferson, which only underscores Jefferson’s unmatched ability.
But I digress.
A number of reasons factor into Smith’s lower frequency of high targets. Among them: the presence of tandem receiver A.J. Brown from 2022-25; the presence of high-volume running back Saquon Barkley from 2024-26; and the presence of Jalen Hurts, a reluctant and limited passer whose 2,307 pass attempts and 1,505 completions since 2021 lag far behind the other nine quarterbacks who have played in at least 75 games.
The point?
The Eagles must feed Smith the way the Bengals feed Chase, the way the Vikings feed Jefferson, and the way the Cowboys feed Lamb.
There no longer is any reason not to.
There was much hand-wringing after Brown forced a trade to New England, reaction that now seems to have been overwrought. At any rate, he’s gone.
Barkley clearly lacks the explosion and elusiveness that earned him the Offensive Player of the Year award in 2024.
Which leaves Smith as the clear and constant No. 1 option.
Smith beats man-to-man coverage, finds space against zones, makes contested catches and low catches and throws that lag behind him, and he has toe-tap sideline feet like Cris Carter. He has superb speed and is eager to catch in middle-of-the-field traffic.
NFL rules were rewritten several times over the past three decades to make Smith and his ilk essentially unstoppable. Use him as such.
DeVonta Smith came up huge when Philadelphia needed him most against Tennessee
10 REC, 117 YDS, 1 TD on 13 targets
His 19 yard catch with 20 seconds left set up the game winning touchdown in the Eagles’ 24 to 20 comeback win. pic.twitter.com/0VEMEPY2T4
Locking on Smith might occasionally lead to ruin, as was the case with Hurts’ first interception Sunday. But Hurts misdiagnosed a zone coverage as man-to-man, so that’s on Hurts. The better throw was probably to the other side, where Dontayvion Wicks was open in the corner. But again, I digress.
Jalen Hurts throws one of the worst interceptions you’ll see him throw. A 92 yard interception and a 14 point swing.
WATCH: he thinks the Titans are in man, but they’re really in a “box” coverage zone.
I’m not jumping on a bandwagon here. I campaigned for the Eagles to draft Smith out of Alabama during the first half of the 2021 College Football Playoff title game.
DeVonta Smith in the 2021 CFP National Championship:
Before the season began, I predicted that Smith would rewrite the Eagles’ record books in 2026. It still could happen.
We’ve seen other passers lock onto elite pass-catchers with negative outcomes: Prescott to Lamb, Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs when they were paired in Buffalo, Patrick Mahomes to Tyreek Hill when they were paired in Kansas City. It’s going to happen.
Hurts’ second interception also was intended for Smith, who was wide open for at least a 30-yard gain, if not a touchdown. However, Cam Jurgens, who’d switched from center to left guard to replace injured Landon Dickerson, got beat cleanly by defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, the Titans’ best player. Hurts failed to step up in the pocket, which continues to be one of his deficiencies, and, like most other quarterbacks, he lacks the arm strength to throw flat-footed through contact.
If this seems like a lot of Hurts criticism, understand that, for years, I have presented Hurts as a franchise quarterback, full stop. But all except the best of franchise QBs have weaknesses, and Hurts has never been the best player on any Eagles roster.
Considering the continued regression of offensive tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, the stalled production of Barkley, and the inconsistency of defensive tackle Jalen Carter, the best candidates for that designation are linebacker Zack Baun, who makes the basic play; cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who doesn’t intercept passes; and Smith.
In this moment, Smith wins in a landslide.
Feed him.
The Bears’ Caleb Williams was carted off with a hamstring injury Sunday, eight days ahead of a meeting with the Eagles. Nam Y. Huh
Injury attrition
Nothing guarantees wins in the NFL, even when the other teams’ best players suffer injuries. But some of the most accomplished players the Eagles were scheduled to face have been beset by a series of misfortunes.
In August, the Commanders lost five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a torn triceps. He was their best player. The Eagles beat the Commanders in Week 1.
On Sunday, the Bears lost star quarterback Caleb Williams to a hamstring injury. Even if Williams’ injury is minor, there’s a good chance he will not be allowed to start, and if he does start, he certainly won’t be as dynamic a threat as he usually is. The Eagles play in Chicago on Monday night.
Last Thursday in Australia, Myles Garrett, the best defender on the planet, limped through the Rams’ opening loss, then underwent knee surgery. The Eagles host the Rams in two weeks. Also, Pro Bowl receiver Puka Nacua was questionable for the Rams’ Monday night game with leg injuries that could linger.
The Rams’ Myles Garrett underwent surgery after his debut with the team. Doug Benc
On Sunday, the Commanders lost Pro Bowl quarterback Jayden Daniels to a dislocated left elbow. He was their most important player. The Eagles face the Commanders again Nov. 1, in six weeks. He injured the elbow twice last season. He missed three games after the first injury, but aggravated it a few weeks later and was lost for the rest of the year. He’s the No. 2 overall pick from the 2024 draft, and the Commanders might choose to sit him longer to protect him. Will he be back by Nov. 1?
None of this is cause for celebration, of course, and the same fate could befall the Eagles at any point. There’s a case to be made that it already has, since left guard Landon Dickerson is on IR with a knee injury. But then, Dickerson, for all his accomplishments, isn’t quite as big a loss as Garrett, Williams, Daniels, or Tunsil.
It was a vintage Patrick Mahomes performance on Monday night. Colin E. Braley
Extra points
Prescott broke Tony Romo’s franchise record for TD passes with his 249th in Dallas’ win over Washington. They remain tied in playoff wins, at two. … Patrick Mahomes’ 382-yard passing performance in the Chiefs’ overtime win against the visiting Colts on Sunday Night Football should erase any doubt that Mahomes again is the NFL’s best player. … Don’t sleep on the Jags: Jacksonville had won nine straight regular-season games before losing at Denver on Sunday. … The Raiders, who lost their last nine meaningful games last season and had a trade of pass rusher Maxx Crosby in March nullified after the Ravens gave him a physical, are 2-0 after a road win over the 0-2 Chargers. New starter Kirk Cousins threw for three TDs. Crosby has 1½ sacks. … Controversial QB Deshaun Watson will remain the starter in Cleveland after his two TD passes led to a weird win over the Buccaneers. With 2 minutes to play, the game was stopped due to weather for more than two hours. The Bucs faced second-and-four at the Browns’ 28-yard line when the game stopped, picked up the first down when it resumed, but the drive then fizzled.
For the second week in a row, the Eagles managed to scrape out a win — improving to 2-0 after a 24-20 comeback victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday in Nashville. Most of the discourse has centered around Jalen Hurts’ clutch gene and the Eagles offense.
Here’s what the national media is saying about the Birds following their Week 2 win …
It wasn’t looking great for the Eagles early. Saquon Barkley was injured on the first play and didn’t return until the second half. Hurts threw an interception in the end zone, and Dallas Goedert exited the game in the second quarter and never returned because of a knee injury.
Despite it all, the Eagles left Music City with a win. Former 49ers quarterback and current ESPN analyst Alex Smith praised the Eagles for their comeback.
“They stole this win,” Smith said on ESPN’s Get Up. “You had no Saquon, no Dallas Goedert. Jalen Hurts, two terrible interceptions, and then they put this final drive together where they looked unbelievable. … Now, the question is, they need to make some improvements across the board. They didn’t play good. There was some glaring errors on both sides of the ball but to get a W on the road when you shouldn’t have, this goes a long way from an energy standpoint.”
The Eagles were down 20-17 with less than two minutes left to play in the fourth quarter. After throwing two interceptions, Hurts led a nine-play, 65-yard scoring drive to give the Eagles a 24-20 lead with just nine seconds remaining.
“Say what you want to say, a win’s a win,” said former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy on The Speakeasy podcast. “There’s some times in football where you play so great, and then you find a way to lose. There’s some times you play bad, but you find a way to win. All this conversation this week about Jalen Hurts this, Jalen Hurts that, make him be a quarterback — it ain’t how you start, it’s how you finish.
“The way that Jalen Hurts carried this offense today, it wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t perfect. But when we need him most, in clutch moments, you pay quarterbacks to win games late. Check this out. No A.J. Brown, no Saquon Barkley, no Dallas Goedert, no more timeouts. Jalen Hurts, no problem. That’s how you win games.”
"A WIN'S A WIN! When we needed Jalen Hurts the most, HE SHOWED UP! THAT'S how you win games!"
– @CutonDime25 HYPES his QB1 up following an Eagles' clutch 24-20 victory over the Titans
Hurts threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns on 26-of-37 passing. Ten-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson was impressed.
“I think the big thing was, Jalen kept responding throughout that game,” Wilson said on CBS Sports. “He had a turnover, had another turnover. He stayed calm in the midst of it all and he found a way to win the game. That’s the key about winning in the NFL. Can you win the games late? And he was able to do that.”
And after sealing the win in the last minute, Hurts received praise on social media.
“The Eagles would be 0-2 with about 20 other quarterbacks,” Emmanuel Acho wrote. “They’d be 1-1 with about 7 other quarterbacks. They’re 2-0 with Jalen Hurts.”
The Eagles would be 0-2 with about 20 other quarterbacks.
“You mess with Jalen Hurts, you mess with all of us,” Dawn Staley wrote. “How about QB1 on his game winning drive? Now apologize. And DeVonta Smith WR1 you are unreal.”
You mess with @JalenHurts you mess with all of us! How bout QB1 on his game winning drive?! Now apologize 🤣🤣🤣 And @devontasmith WR1 you are unreal!! #IBelieve
Despite the win, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith needs to see more from the Eagles offense.
“I don’t like what I’m seeing with the Eagles offense,” Smith said on First Take. “I’m not sitting here saying they’re going to miss the playoffs. I’m not sitting here saying they’re scrubs. I’m saying the championship team we saw from a couple years ago, there has been a precipitous dropoff” compared to other NFC teams.
After 12 seasons and 805 NHL regular-season games, former Flyer Kevin Hayes announced his retirement from professional hockey on Monday.
Hayes, who signed with Russian club Ak Bars Kazan last month, played just five games there before electing to call it a career.
“I have decided to end my hockey career,” the 34-year-old Hayes said in a statement issued by the Kontinental Hockey League. “I can no longer play at the level I am capable of because my body does not allow me to perform at my best. And I cannot accept not being in top form.”
After 861 games in NHL and 5 games in KHL, Kevin Hayes 🇺🇸 announced his retirement.
"I have decided to end my hockey career. I can no longer play at the level I am capable of because my body does not allow me to perform at my best. And I cannot accept not being in top form." pic.twitter.com/ItcQb18FA0
Hayes, who was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks but never played for the franchise, tallied 185 goals and 446 points in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, Flyers, St. Louis Blues, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He posted six 40-point seasons in his first nine years, including a 54-point campaign with the Flyers in 2022-23 when he was named an All-Star for the first and only time in his career.
Signed to a seven-year, $50 million contract in 2019, Hayes experienced an up-and-down four years in Philly, with the highlights being a deep playoff run in the 2020 COVID bubble and his All-Star nod. The centerman averaged 16 goals and 39 points during his time with the Flyers while dealing with a plethora of injuries, as well as the tragic death of his brother and former NHLer, Jimmy Hayes, in 2021. After being traded by the Flyers to St. Louis in 2023, Hayes spent the past two seasons with the Penguins.
Kevin Hayes (right) with his late friend and former Boston College teammate Johnny Gaudreau during the 2023 NHL All-Star Game.BRUCE BENNETT
Hayes, who primarily played in a middle-six center role during his career, was also a regular contributor on the power play and penalty kill. He won the Gene Hart Memorial Trophy for being the Flyer who displayed the most “heart” after the 2019-20 season and served as an alternate captain during his time in Philadelphia.
Known for his sense of humor, the beloved teammate was also a finalist in 2022 for the NHL’s Masterton Trophy, which is given to the player who best displays the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. That season, Hayes dealt with the death of his brother and returned to play after undergoing multiple core muscle surgeries and a blood infection.
Before turning pro, the Boston native was a decorated player at Boston College, where he won the 2012 national championship alongside close friend Johnny Gaudreau. Hayes also represented Team USA at the IIHF World Championships in 2014, 2017, and 2024.
Now, the 2-0 Birds turn their attention toward Week 3 as they prepare to travel to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.
From the Birds’ chances this weekend to updates on year-end awards, here are some of the latest odds at two of the biggest sportsbooks …
Video: Gameday Central: Is it time for the Eagles to start Willie Lampkin?
Eagles-Bears odds
The Eagles are coming off two games in which they barely escaped with wins over the Washington Commanders and Titans.
The Bears (1-1) would be the Birds’ toughest challenge to date. However, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of a 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. He was scheduled to undergo imaging on Monday and his status is uncertain.
The last time the teams met was in November 2025, when the Bears defeated the Eagles, 24-15, at Lincoln Financial Field on Black Friday. As they prepare to compete again in primetime, the Eagles open as early road favorites.
Newly minted Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees was a mixed bag calling the Eagles’ 24-20 win against the Tennessee Titans for Fox Sports on Sunday, and a lot of Birds fans were unimpressed.
Count former Eagles wide receiver Jason Avant among them.
Avant, now part of NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Birds pre- and postgame coverage, blasted Brees after the game as one of Jalen Hurts’ “biggest haters” without going into much detail.
“Drew Brees is on the broadcast talking as much crap as anyone, and it was a negative broadcast,” Avant said on Eagles Postgame Live, adding Hurts’ game-winning drive “shut his mouth.”
Brees is certainly a work in progress at Fox; the network hired the former Saints star and Super Bowl MVP early last season to replace former Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez following Sanchez’s arrest in a downtown Indianapolis fight. Brees hasn’t even called a full season’s worth of NFL games yet — the Birds’ win was just the 11th in his career — but he certainly wasn’t hating on Hurts during the broadcast.
Jalen Hurts led his 8th fourth-quarter comeback since 2023, second-most in the NFL.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
During the first few drives, Brees repeatedly praised Hurts and the plays being called by new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. Coming back from halftime, Brees said Hurts’ play was “absolutely outstanding” and highlighted his ability to extend plays with his legs and spread the ball around — as my colleague Jeff McLane noted, Hurts completed passes to nine different receivers for the first time since 2022.
“For the Philly fans out there — if this is what the Sean Mannion offense looks like, you guys are in good hands,” Brees said after the game, calling Hurts’ performance “the next iteration” of his evolution into a “true passer.”
So what ruffled the feathers of Avant and other Eagles fans? A comment Brees made in the second quarter, when Hurts slid during a third-down run to avoid being hit by Titans defenders, something every quarterback is taught to do.
“I was hyping up Jalen Hurts, and now I’m going to get on him,” Brees said. “Lower your shoulder and go get the first down.”
"Lower your shoulder and go get the first down" – Drew Brees did NOT like Jalen Hurts protecting himself with a slide in the second quarter of Week 2 against the Titans pic.twitter.com/q8nePomNdP
Context is important. Would this comment be appropriate in a playoff game or during a game-winning drive? Certainly. But Brees offered his criticism in the first half of a Week 2 game against an opponent that isn’t even in the Eagles’ conference, so his analysis seemed misplaced.
Birds fans also have a long memory. Last year, before Brees entered the booth, he appeared weekly on ESPN’s First Take and omitted Hurts while highlighting other quarterbacks like Jordan Love and Dak Prescott, despite the Birds’ 3-0 start.
“You realize you mentioned these dudes before you mentioned Jalen Hurts, you do know that, right?” asked Stephen A. Smith.
“I do,” Brees said. “I respect Philly. They are winning games … I can’t stand to watch that offense. It’s the most boring offense.”
He was certainly correct about the offense, which cost Kevin Patullo his job in the offseason. But Brees’ comments appear to have been added to the lengthy list of anti-Hurts remarks Eagles fans love to track.
As far as his broadcasting career comes, Brees is fortunate to be paired with Adam Amin, who has a knack for supporting recently retired athletes and isn’t afraid to coach the Hall of Famer on the ins-and-outs of broadcasting.
“I think he’s starting to improve as a presenter,” Amin said of Brees before the game. “He still has to learn some of the timing and rhythm, but a lot of that just comes with doing the job. And the rest of it, the presentation, is going to come with timing and confidence.”
Amin is in his seventh season with Fox after spending nine years at ESPN, and he’s quickly developed into one of the NFL’s best play-by-play voices. He call of Hurts’ game-winning touchdown pass to Darius Cooper hit all the notes, including letting viewers hear the roar of Eagles fans who flooded Nissan Stadium.
Merrill Reese also wasn’t perfect, but had a vintage TD call
Merrill Reese is in his 50th season as the voice of the Eagles. Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
While Brees is still learning how to be a broadcaster, even the most experienced announcers can make a mistake now and then.
Over on the radio, Merrill Reese — in his 50th season as the voice of the Eagles — struggled a bit while calling Amani Hooker’s interception of Hurts in the first quarter. Hooker returned the interception 92 yards and ended up being tackled by a hustling Makai Lemon at the Eagles’ 10-yard line, but Reese thought he made it into the end zone.
When the Titans lined up on first down, Reese called it as if the play were a two-point conversion. It wasn’t until the Titans’ Tony Pollard was tackled after a 5-yard run did Reese and broadcast partner Mike Quick finally let listeners know what actually happened.
“They were ruled not in,” a surprised Reese said during the broadcast. “They said [Hooker] was down so that was not for two, that was the play.”
The Hall of Fame broadcaster more than redeemed himself on the Eagles’ game-winning drive, screaming “There’s life!” as the Birds moved down the field in a vintage Merrill Reese performance.
“TOUCHDOWN! DARIUS COOPER!” said Reese, who finished the call after Quick interrupted with some analysis on how the receiver got open. “WHAT A PLAY! HURTS TO DARIUS COOPER! WHAT A DRIVE!”
Reese and Amin weren’t alone in excelling at the end of the game. Spanish radio announcers Rickie Ricardo and Oscar Budejen also offered an A-plus call of the winning touchdown.
During the Cowboys’ win against the Commanders, Jayden Daniels left the game with a dislocated left elbow. The footage was so gruesome it caused Tom Brady to go blue.
Brady wasn’t done. Later in the game, he used language so colorful to describe Dak Prescott’s missile of a pass to receiver CeeDee Lamb we can’t print it in our family newspaper.
Over on CBS, J.J. Watt is in his second week in the No. 1 booth. That means millions and millions more fans are listening to his call, but his broadcast partner Jim Nantz didn’t appear to be among them on a few plays.
‘That’s my guy!’ Jason Kelce reacts to Zach Ertz news
Jason Kelce celebrates with Zach Ertz during Super Bowl LII in 2018. TIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Former Eagles star Jason Kelce played a little over eight seasons with Zach Ertz in Philly. Naturally, he’s excited his former teammate is returning to the Birds.
“You don’t got to talk me into Zach Ertz. That’s my guy!” Kelce said on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown. “He’s entrenched in Philadelphia still… He’s close to some type of receiving record. I wouldn’t mind seeing that broken by No. 86 right there.”
"He's entrenched in Philadelphia still."@JasonKelce reacts to the news of Zach Ertz's return to the Philadelphia Eagles 🏈 pic.twitter.com/W3JQTa3BvG
As for franchise records, Ertz is second all-time in receptions (579) close behind Harold Carmichael (589), fifth in receiving yards (6,267) and seventh in receiving touchdowns (38).
Tight end Zach Ertz is heading back to the Eagles.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
With Dallas Goedert expected to miss multiple weeks after he sustained a sprained MCL in the Eagles’ win over the Titans, the Eagles are planning to sign Zach Ertz to the practice squad, sources said.
Ertz spent nine seasons in Philadelphia and was a key part to the Eagles winning their first Super Bowl in 2018.
The three-time Pro Bowler suffered a season-ending ACL tear in December 2025 with the Commanders and did not sign a contract in offseason.
Ertz was cleared for football activity in July — seven months from when he tore his ACL. He passed the pivotal nine-month post operation milestone a few weeks ago.
The Eagles are signing him to the practice squad as he continues his recovery with the expectation that he will eventually be signed to the 53-man roster, per sources.
Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert is expected to miss a few weeks.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
The Eagles will be without Dallas Goedert for the time being.
A league source confirmed an NFL Network/ESPN report that Goedert suffered a sprained MCL in Sunday’s 24-20 win over the Tennessee Titans. Goedert is expected to miss a few weeks with the injury.
Goedert appeared to suffer his injury while run blocking in the second quarter. He did not return to the game.
Goedert’s absence leaves the Eagles in an interesting situation at the position, and Howie Roseman may need to make a roster move.
DeVonta Smith hauls in a pass against the Titans on Sunday.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
A number of reasons factor into DeVonta Smith’s lower frequency of high targets since 2021. Among them was the presence of receiver A.J. Brown from 2022-25, the presence of high-volume running back Saquon Barkley from 2024-26, and the presence of Jalen Hurts, a reluctant and limited passer.
However, the Eagles must feed Smith the way the Bengals feed Ja’Marr Chase, the way the Vikings feed Justin Jefferson, and the way the Cowboys feed CeeDee Lamb.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni celebrates as time runs out against the Tennessee on Sunday.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
The last time the Eagles and Bears met was in November 2025, when the Bears defeated the Eagles, 24-15, at Lincoln Financial Field on Black Friday.
The Bears would be the Birds’ toughest challenge as they prepare to compete on Monday Night Football. However, Caleb Williams suffered a hamstring injury and his status is uncertain.
As of now, the Eagles open as early road favorites on two of the biggest sportsbooks.
Marcus Mariota expected to start for Commanders; Jayden Daniels seeks options
Commanders QB Marcus Mariota is expected to start Sunday vs. Seattle as Washington continues to gather more information about Jayden Daniels’ dislocated left elbow. https://t.co/k6VS278fi2
Sirianni: No news on Saquon Barkley, Dallas Goedert injuries
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley left Sunday’s game with a stinger. David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni didn’t offer any updates on running back Saquon Barkley or tight end Dallas Goedert, both of whom left Sunday’s game with injuries.
“It’s still early in the day,” Sirianni told reporters Monday. “I’ll get with those guys later today… They were off today, everything got started a little bit later, so we’ll see as the week progresses.”
Barkley suffered a stinger during the Eagles’ first drive and missed the first half. He returned in the second half but ended the game with just four carries for nine yards.
Goedert left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury while run blocking and did not return.
Cam Jurgens’ debut at left guard showed plenty to build on
Cam Jurgens played left guard for the first time in his career Sunday. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
The Eagles decided early in the practice week last week, after placing Landon Dickerson on injured reserve, that getting their best five linemen on the field in their best five spots meant moving Cam Jurgens from center to left guard and inserting Drew Kendall at center.
“Drew is naturally a center,” Nick Sirianni said after Sunday’s victory. “He can do both, but we felt like that’s his best natural position.”
The arrangement meant that Jurgens would play left guard for the first time in his career. He was a high school tight end turned college center who spent his first year as a starter in the NFL at right guard before replacing Jason Kelce at center. The Eagles didn’t practice with him at left guard once in training camp. Left tackle Jordan Mailata recalled one brief walkthrough session during camp with Jurgens to his right.
“Everything is different,” Jurgens said. “Your hands are different. Your feet are different. You’re kicking different. It’s weird.
“I’m going to learn a lot from this game. I’m going to get a lot better.”
The offensive line had an up-and-down Sunday, just like it did a week ago in the opener. But Jurgens’ first 76 snaps at left guard didn’t look all that bad on film. I counted about six, maybe seven, bad reps from that 76-snap workload. That’s a pretty high success rate for a player at a new position. A few of those bad reps came against Jeffery Simmons, one of the top interior defensive linemen in the NFL.
Jalen Hurts was pressured on 17 dropbacks Sunday, and Jurgens was responsible for three of them, according to Pro Football Focus. Mailata also was charged with three, while Kendall and Tyler Steen surrendered two apiece. Lane Johnson was dinged with one pressure allowed.
The offensive line struggled to create enough creases for Eagles running backs, but Jurgens wasn’t a major part of those issues, film review showed.
Mailata after the game said he was looking forward to having continuity up front and growing as a unit. It’s unclear how long Dickerson will be out for, though he will remain ineligible to come off IR until at least Week 5. The new-look front could look this way until at least that point, which means Jurgens, a two-time Pro Bowl center, has a lot to learn and pick up.
“I’m so excited to watch film and get better from this,” he said.
Caleb Williams ‘week-to-week,’ appears likely to miss Eagles-Bears
Caleb Williams is “week-to-week” with a right hamstring injury.Nam Y. Huh
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is “week-to-week” with a right hamstring injury and “will likely miss some time,” head coach Ben Johnson said Monday morning in an interview on ESPN 1000 Chicago.
“I’ve got to still talk with our trainer. We’ll do that here shortly and I’ll have the lowdown from him. But it sounds like it’s week-to-week but will likely miss some time,” Johnson said.
The Eagles travel to Chicago to face the Bears on Monday Night Football in Week 3.
Williams underwent an MRI Monday morning and appears to have avoided seriously injuring his knee or Achilles, which could have cost the young quarterback the season. He suffered a non-contact injury during the fourth quarter of the Bears’ 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings Sunday.
Stepping in for Williams would be Tyson Bagent, who started four games his rookie year in 2023 but has just six pass attempts in two seasons since.
“I think ball-placement wise, it’s the best I’ve seen Jalen throw the ball in two years. That last drive was sensational,” Orlovsky said on First Take Monday. “I’m very confident in the way that the offense, pass game-wise, is looking under Sean Mannion.”
That’s not to say Orlovsky didn’t see issues, pointing out the offensive line might be the worst the Birds have seen in a decade. But he’s confident the Eagles coaching staff, even without offensive line guru Jeff Stoutland, can plug the holes and overcome Landon Dickerson’s injury.
Former Inquirer columnist Stephen A. Smith was surprised by Orlovsky’s confidence, saying on First Take, “I don’t like what I’m seeing with the Eagles’ offense.”
Smith pointed out the Eagles led the league in three-and-outs last season and had two Sunday in the third quarter, which helped the Titans remain in the game. In Week 1, the Eagles had three three-and-outs in the third quarter and punted seven times.
“I’m not sitting here saying they’re going to miss the playoffs. I’m not sitting here saying they’re scrubs,” Smith said. “I’m saying the championship team we saw from a couple years ago, there has been a precipitous drop off” compared to other NFC teams.
The Eagles schedule will also toughen up over the next few weeks, with matchups against the Chicago Bears, the Los Angeles Rams, the Carolina Panthers (who had a surprising 56-point turnaround in Week 2’s win against the Atlanta Falcons), and the hated Dallas Cowboys.
“They can absolutely win every one of those games,” Orlovsky said.
Hall of Famer Michael Irvin agreed with Orlovsky, though he differed on one point.
“Except the Cowboys game, I’m with you on that,” Irvin said.
The Eagles just keep winning under head coach Nick Sirianni. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Nick Sirianni high-stepped his way toward the tunnel after his team’s game-winning touchdown drive Sunday and celebrated with the throngs of Eagles fans who turned Nissan Stadium into an atmosphere that could have passed at times for an Eagles home game.
It wasn’t pretty, again, but the Eagles won, again. And Sirianni seems to just keep on winning.
The sixth-year Eagles coach joined an exclusive club on Sunday when his record climbed to 61-26 to raise his career winning percentage to .701. Sirianni is now the fifth coach in NFL history — with a minimum of 50 games coached — to hold a career winning percentage of .700 or higher, joining Guy Chamberlin (.784, 1922-27), John Madden (.759, 1969-78), Vince Lombardi (.738, 1959-67 and ‘69), and George Allen (.712, 1966-77).
The other four coaches are in the Hall of Fame.
Here are some other notable numbers from Sunday’s victory:
Sirianni isn’t the only one standing with Hall of Famers after Sunday. According to Elias Sports, Jalen Hurts and Hall of Famer Roger Staubach are the only quarterbacks to start their careers with six consecutive wins in road openers. Hurts is now the fifth quarterback to win six consecutive road openers, joining Hall of Famers Dan Fouts, Bart Starr, Fran Tarkenton, and Staubach.
The Eagles held the Titans to fewer than 300 yards (291). According to the Eagles, it’s the first time since 1995 they’ve held their opponents under 300 total yards in each of the first two games.
The offensive line had some issues again on Sunday, but they also allowed Hurts to have an average time to throw of 3.5 seconds, according to Next Gen Stats, the fourth-longest of his NFL career.
Dontayvion Wicks was clutch. He was targeted on five of his 12 routes on third and fourth downs, according to Next Gen, catching all five targets for 74 yards and five first downs. Those late-down plays generated +11.8 expected points added (EPA), according to Next Gen, the fifth-most by any receiver over the last two seasons.
Jake Elliott’s 58-yard kick tied the fourth-longest kick of his career and was his longest since also connecting on a 58-yarder last September in Kansas City.
Nick Sirianni celebrates after the Eagles last-second win against the Titans.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
It may sound like a back-handed compliment, but former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith praised the Eagles and Jalen Hurts for overcoming some bad turnovers and rallying to defeat the Tennessee Titans Sunday in a hot Nissan Stadium.
“You had no Saquon, no Dallas Goedert, Jalen Hurts [threw] two terrible interceptions,” Smith said Monday morning on ESPN’s Get Up. “And then they put this final drive together where they looked unbelievable… To get a W on the road when you shouldn’t have, this goes a long way from an energy standpoint.”
His ESPN colleague Domonique Foxworth wasn’t as convinced, citing the Eagles’ disappointing defense and work-in-progress offense.
“Four weeks from now we’ll look back at this game and say either it’s nice they were able to pull off this win in a game they didn’t deserve to win,” Foxworth said. “Or, we should’ve seen the alarm bells.”
The Eagles need Jalen Hurts 2.0 now more than ever
Saquon Barkley celebrates with Jalen Hurts after his game-winning touchdown pass Sunday. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Jalen Hurts tossed two costly interceptions. The first was returned 92 yards and was converted into a touchdown, while the second came late in the fourth quarter and allowed the Titans to take a 20-17 lead.
And yet, Hurts wasn’t asked a single question about the picks afterward. His performance in rallying the Eagles past Tennessee, 24-20, in nearly every other moment, including a masterful two-minute drive, far overshadowed his two throwing errors.
But there was something unique about Hurts carrying the offense at the scorching Nissan Stadium on Sunday. He’s strapped the Eagles on his back before. He’s had better games against better opponents when the stakes were much higher. He’s been clutch on many previous occasions.
No, this was a different Hurts. This was the 2.0 version. This was Hurts evolving as a quarterback in a new scheme that gives him more freedom as a passer. We saw glimpses of it in Week 1 vs. the Commanders. He took another step in Week 2.
If the narrative entering this season was that the 28-year-old faced a make-it-or-break-it tipping point, after another offensive coordinator change and a seemingly unresolved contract situation, Hurts has shown through two weeks that he’s making it.
Eagles injury report: Updates on Dallas Goedert, Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley talks to Tank Bigsby during the second quarter.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Dallas Goedert, tight end: Goedert left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury while run blocking and did not return. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Goedert was scheduled to have an MRI Monday to assess the severity of the injury.
Saquon Barkley, running back: Barkley suffered a stinger during the Eagles’ first drive and missed the first half. He returned in the second half but ended the game with just four carries for nine yards. Barkley declined an interview request after the game, but he said he was “all right” and that the team would know more about his injury later in the week.
Jalen Carter, defensive tackle: Carter scared some fans after he was helped off the field with an apparent leg injury late in the game following a Titans field goal. After the game, he told reporters it was just a cramp in his calf and he was fine.
Tom Brady speaks to Eagles players prior to their Week 1 win against the Commanders.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
During the Cowboys’ win against the Commanders, Jayden Daniels was forced to leave the game after injuring his elbow. The footage was so gruesome it caused Tom Brady to go blue.
Brady wasn’t done. Later in the game, he used colorful language to describe a pass Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott threw to CeeDee Lamb; it was a clip Fox Sports was happy to share.
“There was no margin of error on that throw,” Brady said.
It’s possible Brady and Kevin Burkhardt could call the Eagles’ Week 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Either way the Birds will hear the future Hall of Famer on Thanksgiving day calling Eagles-Cowboys.
Eagles face the Bears in Week 3; Caleb Williams status uncertain
Bears QB Caleb Williams was knocked out of Sunday’s loss against the Vikings.Nam Y. Huh
The Eagles will take their 2-0 record north next week to face the Chicago Bears (1-1) under the lights on Monday Night Football.
The Bears could be without quarterback Caleb Williams, who was injured during a fourth-quarter run and was knocked out of the game during a 9-3 loss Sunday to the Minnesota Vikings.
While it was initially feared Williams might have hurt his knee or Achilles, the Bears announced late Sunday he hurt his right hamstring. Not ideal, but likely not a season-ending injury coaches and fans initially feared.
“I’m actually happy it’s nothing with the knee,” Bears coach Ben Johnson told reporters after the game. “That was my first inclination, but yeah, that hamstring could be pretty damaging as well. So we’ll see how bad it is, and we’ll go from there.”
Williams is scheduled to have an MRI Monday. If he can’t go, the Bears will turn to Tyson Bagent, who started four games his rookie year in 2023 but has just six pass attempts in two seasons since.
The Bears beat the Eagles 24-15 on Black Friday last season, but the Birds won their previous six games against Chicago. That include the 2018 playoff win where Bears kicker Cody Parkey’s field goal bounced off the upright as time expired.
Jalen Hurts led his 8th fourth-quarter comeback since 2023, second-most in the NFL.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
During his postgame interview with Fox sideline reporter Kristina Pink, Jalen Hurts had some choice words for Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who seemed to take a shot at Hurts earlier this week.
On Wednesday, when asked a question about the Eagles quarterback, Simmons told ESPN, “We just need to make Jalen Hurts be a QB. Stop his runs, make sure Hurts doesn’t get out of the pocket and make plays.”
The internet ran rampant with the quote, but the Eagles locker room did not seem to pay it much attention. After Sunday’s game, Simmons embraced Hurts during his interview with Pink.
“You started that s—; I had to finish it,” Hurts said to Simmons with a smile.
Drew Kendall (left) and the Eagles offensive line had its struggles on Sunday.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
To some surprise, the Eagles made changes at two spots when they only needed to replace Landon Dickerson. They moved Cam Jurgens to left guard and started Drew Kendall at center. It was often ugly. But it was another shaky outing from new O-line coach Chris Kuper’s entire group. The run blocking just wasn’t sound. The pass protection was only a little better.
There was the matter of containing Jeffery Simmons. The All pro defensive tackle owned Kendall on the Eagles’ opening drive and forced Hurts to burn a throw into the ground. Kendall appeared to miss a block. The second-year O-lineman had a tough assignment, but it was a grind.
Jurgens struggled vs. Simmons and others. He got spun around by the defensive tackle on a run play in which Bigsby was stretched out for no gain. Jurgens also got knocked off balance by Titans D-tackle John Franklin-Myers in the second quarter. He was a turnstile on edge Jacob Martin’s third-down sack of Hurts in the third quarter.
Right guardTyler Steendidn’t hold up either. He got beat by D-tackle Nazir Stackhouse and later by Simmons on late second quarter runs that resulted in losses. He committed a holding penalty to open the second half. Steen got beat again on a third-down rush in the third quarter in which Hurts had to escape.
Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata were decent in pass protection, but they had breakdowns, too. Johnson struggled with his block on the play in which Barkley got hurt. He also lined up illegally early in the second half. Mailata got surprised by an outside twist by Simmons, and landed on his rear on Hurts’ touchdown throw to Smith.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni (left) and assistant to the head coach Cole Peterson (right) dance off the field after beating the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville, Tenn. on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles head coach Nick Sirianni celebrates after the Eagles beat the Tennessee Titans.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley after throwing the game-winning touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver Darius Cooper catches the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper catches a touchdown with 9 seconds left in the fourth quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni celebrates after they beat the Tennessee Titans.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerHappy Philadelphia Eagles fans after the Eagles scored a touchdown with seconds left in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens lifts up Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper after Cooper makes the winning touchdown with seconds left in the fourth quarter. David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fan holds up a Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith jersey with seconds left in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts throws the football late in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter gets help coming off the field in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fan is sweating it out with the Eagles trailing 20-17 in the fourth quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon gets stopped by Tennessee Titans cornerback Marcus Harris.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith catches first down pass against Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen defends Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate with 12:50 left in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts scrambles out of trouble and throws an incomplete pass with 8 seconds left in the third quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Johnny Mundt is brought down by Tennessee Titans linebacker Cody Barton in the third quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni while the Tennessee Titans are driving in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun stop Tennessee Titans running back Nicholas Singleton in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley pushed out of bounds by Tennessee Titans linebacker Cedric Gray in the third quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith hauls in a pass, but it was incomplete during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott watches his long field goal in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley running with the ball in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles defensive tackle Ty Robinson (left) and Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (right) try to block a field goal as time runs out in the first half against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun brings down Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor after Titans’ drive to the end zone late in the second quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley runs along the sideline with Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor defending.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fans cheer as the Eagles drive towards the end zone.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles head of security Big Dom DiSandro stops Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts as he is running out of bounds so he doesn’t hurt himself in the second quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby runs with the football during the second quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby celebrate Bigsby’s touchdown in the second quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks gets a first-down catch passed Tennessee Titans linebacker Cody Barton and Tennessee Titans linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. in the first quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerTennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker intercepts the ball from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in the first quarter and runs it just short of the end zone.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith gets a first down pass with Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor defending in the first quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Britain Covey returns the first punt of the game, defended by Tennessee Titans safety Erick Hallett, in the first quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fans get ready for the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
It came down to the final two minutes on a steamy Sunday in Nashville.
The Eagles were down by three points after the Titans made a 32-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter. It was the Birds’ final chance with the ball to either score or tie the game.
So all eyes turned to Jalen Hurts, who threw two interceptions Sunday, and his performance that followed made up for it.
Hurts orchestrated a nine-play, 65-yard scoring drive, capped by a 3-yard Darius Cooper touchdown to seal the Eagles’ 24-20 comeback victory.
Sean Mannion’s offense struggled to find its rhythm for much of the day. The offensive line’s play made the win more difficult than it should have been, which impacted the run game.
The defense also suffered some big lapses that almost cost the Eagles a win, but some positives were the wide receiver and tight end rooms. Jeff McLane shares with us his instant grades on the Eagles’ performance.
Let’s give wide receiver DeVonta Smith some credit. Just when the Eagles looked finish the star receiver came through with a 19-yard sideline catch with 14 seconds remaining.
It may have not been perfect, but for the fourth time in five years, the Eagles are 2-0.
Justin Crawford hit a three-run triple to power the Phillies past the Mets on Sunday.Noah K. Murray
Alex McFarlane has been put in a lot of tough situations. He inherited a runner from Cristopher Sánchez in the seventh inning, and had then allowed two singles to flip the Mets’ lineup back over.
To get out of the jam, he had to contend Juan Soto, and the rookie did just that. Then an inning later, Justin Crawford delivered a three-run triple in the Phillies’ 7-2 win over the Mets, as the club shrank their magic number to clinch the playoffs to three.
And the Phillies are optioning reliever Orion Kerkering to triple A, following his second-half struggles. In four appearances in September, Kerkering had an 18.68 ERA.
Up next: After an off day on Monday, the Phillies begin their penultimate series of the season at home Tuesday against the Brewers (6:40 p.m., NBCSP).
What we’re …
🏈 Watching: Highlights from the Eagles-Titans broadcast. And did you see what Jalen Hurts said about Titans DT Jeffery Simmons?
🙌 Praising: Friends and family coming together in Maple Shade in support of Xavier Taylor, who is still recovering after being struck by a baseball.
🤔 Wondering: What happened to Adem Bona? According to the Sixers, he suffered a left foot sprain in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
📖 Reading: Villanova star Jasmine Bascoe played on Canada’s national team. Here’s what she learned from the experience.
Heroics from the Union led to a 4-3 come-from-behind win against Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday.Courtesy / Philadelphia Union
The Union changed the narrative in what might be one of the best come-from-behind wins of the season on Saturday against Sporting Kansas City.
Union interim manager Ryan Richter and Co. continue to surge up the Eastern Conference ladder as a team that was written off in June — after limping into the World Cup break with just one win in 15 matches. Now, the Union have scored 14 goals in their last three games and are on an 11-game unbeaten streak.
Penn State wide receiver Koby Howard finished with 135 total yards and two touchdowns against Buffalo on Saturday.Barry Reeger
Koby Howard has been putting in extra work since the spring and it seems to be paying off. The sophomore receiver continued his great start of the 2026 season with 135 total yards and two touchdowns in Penn State’s 55-13 win over Buffalo.
Howard has 344 receiving yards and three total touchdowns through three games this season. He’s averaging 28.67 yards per catch and is on pace to break the Nittany Lions’ single-season receiving yards record. Matt Campbell isn’t surprised by the sophomore’s success.
In other college football news:
Temple found itself on the losing end of a nail-biter against Toledo, despite carrying a 14-point fourth-quarter lead.
Saquon Barkley (center) and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrate Hurts’ late touchdown pass in Sunday’s win.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
You can say a lot of things about Jalen Hurts, but he has shown time and again at every level of football that talent and self-belief prevails. Rarely will you see a quarterback make a more consequential series of throws than the ones Hurts made late on a muggy afternoon in Week 2.
There are lots of things to be ironed out, but it is far better to iron these things out while 2-0. And once again, Hurts was the difference, writes columnist David Murphy.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from David Murphy, Olivia Reiner, Jeff McLane, Jeff Neiburg, Kerith Gabriel, Ryan Novozinsky, Lochlahn March, DeAntae Prince, Mia Messina, Conor Smith, Lexie Linderman, Mike Livingston, Dylan Johnson, and Hannah Chang.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
Thanks for starting off your Monday with our newsletter. We’ll be back in your inboxes on Tuesday. — Bella
In her first two seasons with Villanova, Jasmine Bascoe has established herself as one of the best women’s basketball players in the Big 5. Now, she’s establishing a role with Canada’s national team.
In August, Bascoe was named to Canada’s 12-player roster for a FIBA women’s basketball Olympic prequalifying tournament later that month in Guadalajara, Mexico.
While the tournament marked Bascoe’s senior team debut with Canada, she previously represented her home nation at the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2025. At 20 years old, the junior guard was now playing for the country’s top women’s team.
Canada went 5-0 in the tournament, capped by an 83-53 win over Mexico in the final on Aug. 23. With the tournament win, Canada secured the only available spot in the FIBA women’s Olympic qualifying tournament in March 2028.
Bascoe led Canada in assists with 5.4 per game, and was second in points with 10.8 per game.
At training camp for the tournament, Bascoe, who was coming off an injury, said she learned from watching those around her before she could get involved herself. By the time the tournament began in August, she was getting used to playing alongside Olympians like Yvonne Ejim, Sami Hill, Shaina Pellington, and Syla Swords.
She said the veterans’ constant communication allowed the team’s younger players, like Bascoe, to learn more.
“They weren’t on us right away to be perfect, which obviously gives us a lot more confidence as well,” Bascoe said. “They were everything we needed them to be. They were leaders, but then at the same time, they were great friends. Like they honestly were some of my closest friends this whole summer, which was just amazing, and just getting to hear stories from them and their other pro experiences and their NCAA experiences, I mean, what more could you ask for?”
Villanova women’s basketball junior guard Jasmine Bascoe (right) is back with the Wildcats after a summer representing her home nation.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
The fifth Olympian on the team was Kayla Alexander, who represented Canada in Tokyo in 2020 and in Paris in 2024. At 35, she currently plays for the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo and holds Canada’s all-time career rebound record. She’s also from the same hometown as Bascoe: Milton, Ontario.
After the tournament, Bascoe told Alexander just how much fun she had playing with someone she said is “an amazing person” and “a great leader.”
“I’ve always looked up to her as a person, but it’s so great,” Bascoe said. “She keeps everyone so level-headed and always on the same page. And she’s a great lifeline between us and the coaches. And so it just made the whole summer very smooth.”
In her sophomore season at Villanova, Bascoe led the Big East in assists (4.9) and scoring (18.9), finishing ahead of UConn’s Azzi Fudd, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft this year, and Sarah Strong. She also was named the Big 5 Player of the Year.
Bascoe said the pace and physicality of a tournament involving professionals further improved her game, and it’s something she hopes to implement during her junior year with the Wildcats. As an upperclassman now, Bascoe said sheer speed is no longer going to work for her, and she wants to start incorporating physicality into her style of play.
“I just think it was a summer full of learning for me,” she said. “Playing at that level is not easy. It’s physical, it’s fast, and it just prepares you so good for everything else, like NCAA, everything. So it was amazing, and I was just fortunate to be able to get some games under my belt with the senior team and end on a good note. … It was a very fulfilling summer, and now I’m ready to bring everything back here to Villanova.”
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jalen Hurts tossed two costly interceptions. The first was returned 92 yards and converted into a touchdown, while the second came late in the fourth quarter and allowed the Titans to take a 20-17 lead.
And yet, Hurts wasn’t asked a single question about the picks postgame. His performance in rallying the Eagles past Tennessee, 24-20, in nearly every other moment, including a masterful two-minute drive, far overshadowed his two throwing errors.
But there was something unique about Hurts carrying the offense at the scorching Nissan Stadium on Sunday. He’s strapped the Eagles onto his back before. He’s had better games against better opponents when the stakes were much higher. He’s been clutch on many previous occasions.
Video: Jalen Hurts lauds the Eagles’ perseverance after win over Titans
No, this was a different Hurts. This was the 2.0 version. This was Hurts evolving as a quarterback in a new scheme that gives him more freedom as a passer. We saw glimpses of it in Week 1 vs. the Washington Commanders. He took another step in Week 2.
If the narrative entering this season was that the 28-year-old faced a make-it-or-break-it tipping point, after another offensive coordinator change and a seemingly unresolved contract situation, Hurts has shown through two weeks that he’s making it.
He’s been that instrumental in the Eagles’ 2-0 start despite the schematic hiccups and struggles on the offensive line.
“I don’t even think words can describe how much you’ve got to manage as a quarterback in this league from a responsibility standpoint, and the weight that comes with the position and the responsibility,” Hurts said when asked about his calm amid an otherwise stormy offensive day.
“Ultimately, you gotta keep the main thing the main thing throughout that. You gotta keep your poise and keep your focus.”
An early injury to Saquon Barkley was one more thing Jalen Hurts was forced to overcome on Sunday. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Third down after third down, Hurts and his receivers bailed out the early-down malaise. The Eagles have long needed an offense that establishes the run game. Hurts’ limitations as a dropback passer have partially made that necessary, but it’s also been a byproduct of coach Nick Sirianni’s conservatism.
The Eagles just might not have the pieces to be a run-based unit this season. There were likely to be some early bumps with the new wide-zone blocking scheme. But for as much as Sean Mannion needs the outside-zone runs to set up play action, he can’t keep calling early-down runs or quasi-runs that are passes that fail.
The Eagles have been wretched on first down. They averaged just 0.9 yards in the first game of the season. They were a little better in the second, but the running backs managed just 2.7 yards on 15 first-down rushes vs. the Titans.
The Eagles shuffled the O-line after Landon Dickerson went to injured reserve last week, moving Cam Jurgens to the vacant left guard spot and inserting Drew Kendall at center. There were going to be miscues with Jurgens having never played guard on that side, especially with Jeffery Simmons lining up over him.
But Mannion kept calling runs even if they often were away from the All-Pro defensive tackle.
“It’s more to do with execution, but then also you know the moving pieces that we had in,” tackle Jordan Mailata said about the run-blocking issues. “This is our first game together as the starting five for us. And I’ve always emphasized the continuity of having the same O-line guys.”
Sirianni wouldn’t divulge whether he’ll stick with the same configuration, but keeping the same core for at least the next three games — or more, depending upon Dickerson’s health — seems likely.
Cam Jurgens (51) and the offensive line has been slow to adjust to the Sean Mannion scheme. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
“I’m a soldier,” Jurgens said. “I march to my orders, and whatever I’m asked to do, I’m going to do it to my best abilities.”
There were other missing parts. Running back Saquon Barkley left early with a stinger (although he returned), while tight end Dallas Goedert was sidelined with a knee injury. Sirianni said he wouldn’t grade on a curve because of the new faces and scheme changes.
“We want to be able to run it more efficiently,” Sirianni said. “I haven’t seen any of the numbers, but everything comes off of the run and the play action. And so, the guys battled though. That’s what you’re so proud of there. … But there’s definitely room for improvement, as we all know.
The pass protection wasn’t much better, although when the O-line needed to stand tall on the last drive, Hurts mostly had enough time in the pocket. But getting sacked three times, hit an additional three times, and having to Houdini out of pressure isn’t likely sustainable.
According to the advanced analytics site Sumer Sports, the Eagles have the largest difference in early-down offensive success rate vs. late-down offensive success rate to start a season since 2022, with an early-down success rate of 31.5% in the third percentile, and a late-down rate of 60.6% in the 96th percentile.
Hurts kept facing long third downs and kept hitting receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks downfield. He converted nine third downs of more than 4 yards, three of which were third-and-12.
Jalen Hurts helped facilitate a big day for DeVonta Smith (6) and completed passes to nine different targets on Sunday. David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
But both his interceptions also came on third-and-longs. He kept bouncing back.
“Jalen’s able to flush it and lead us down the field in a critical situation,” Sirianni said. “Just proud of the way he played and the way he had his resolve, but that’s who he is, right? That doesn’t surprise me. He’s that on a daily basis.”
Whether it’s by design or not, Sirianni has had to entrust his 28-year-old quarterback with more responsibility, and that may require accepting a few more interceptions than either has become accustomed to.
If the Kyle Shanahan-type parts of Mannion’s under center, play-action scheme haven’t yet taken hold, the implementation of more full progression reads has. Hurts completed passes to nine receivers for only the fourth time in his NFL career, and the first since 2022.
He got late into his reads on several throws, including the game-winning 3-yard touchdown toss to Darius Cooper. Earlier, he found Cooper for a 23-yard gain when the receiver was beyond his first two reads.
“I think it’s just a byproduct of our approach in our offense,” Hurts said. “I’ve really embraced and enjoyed the teaching progression and how things are taught.”
Hurts has heard the noise about his not being able to diagnose defenses, dating back to his second season when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers said as much in an Eagles wild-card playoff loss. Simmons said the Titans wanted to make Hurts “play quarterback” in the lead-up to the game.
“I heard it,” Hurts said.
He let his play do the talking, though.
“I’m happy we won,” Hurts said when asked for a response.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni (left) and assistant to the head coach Cole Peterson (right) dance off the field after beating the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville, Tenn. on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles head coach Nick Sirianni celebrates after the Eagles beat the Tennessee Titans.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley after throwing the game-winning touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver Darius Cooper catches the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper catches a touchdown with 9 seconds left in the fourth quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni celebrates after they beat the Tennessee Titans.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerHappy Philadelphia Eagles fans after the Eagles scored a touchdown with seconds left in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens lifts up Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper after Cooper makes the winning touchdown with seconds left in the fourth quarter. David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fan holds up a Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith jersey with seconds left in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts throws the football late in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter gets help coming off the field in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fan is sweating it out with the Eagles trailing 20-17 in the fourth quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon gets stopped by Tennessee Titans cornerback Marcus Harris.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith catches first down pass against Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen defends Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate with 12:50 left in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts scrambles out of trouble and throws an incomplete pass with 8 seconds left in the third quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Johnny Mundt is brought down by Tennessee Titans linebacker Cody Barton in the third quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni while the Tennessee Titans are driving in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun stop Tennessee Titans running back Nicholas Singleton in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley pushed out of bounds by Tennessee Titans linebacker Cedric Gray in the third quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith hauls in a pass, but it was incomplete during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott watches his long field goal in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley running with the ball in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles defensive tackle Ty Robinson (left) and Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (right) try to block a field goal as time runs out in the first half against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun brings down Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor after Titans’ drive to the end zone late in the second quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley runs along the sideline with Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor defending.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fans cheer as the Eagles drive towards the end zone.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles head of security Big Dom DiSandro stops Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts as he is running out of bounds so he doesn’t hurt himself in the second quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby runs with the football during the second quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby celebrate Bigsby’s touchdown in the second quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks gets a first-down catch passed Tennessee Titans linebacker Cody Barton and Tennessee Titans linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. in the first quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerTennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker intercepts the ball from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in the first quarter and runs it just short of the end zone.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith gets a first down pass with Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor defending in the first quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Britain Covey returns the first punt of the game, defended by Tennessee Titans safety Erick Hallett, in the first quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fans get ready for the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Hurts can still do the athletic and mobile things that separate him from many other quarterbacks. He ran twice on designed runs, scrambled two times for 11 yards, and used his lower-body strength to convert on the return of the Tush Push.
But he’s quieted some doubts about how he would adapt to the biggest scheme change of his NFL career, and about how last season ended. In Week 1, he hit Goedert for a touchdown on a four verticals concept similar to the fateful last play in the playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers. In Week 2, he bested the opposing defensive coordinator in that game — Titans coach Robert Saleh.
It’s early, of course. If the problems on Chris Kuper’s O-line are going to be waved away with the same reason, then Hurts’ strong start should be taken with a grain of salt. The same could be said about the climate — both teams had to suffer through it — even if Eagles players were melting through cleats.
“Was like a NASCAR pit crew helping me get ready for the second half,” said Jurgens, who said he went through two pairs.
It may be another Eagles victory, with agony and outside voices thrilled to complain about it. But Hurts knows better. The work was done. The task at hand remains.
“We’re still progressing,” Hurts said. “Think there’s a lot for us to continue to improve on, to align toward. But you want to do that and find ways to win.”
He’s done that as much as any quarterback over the last five seasons. But he may have to shoulder more than he ever has before.
The Titans may not have scored a touchdown on their penultimate possession, but they sure had all the momentum after securing a three-point lead with two minutes left on a sweltering Tennessee afternoon.
On the final drive of the game, the star wide receiver posted 38 yards on four receptions, including a pair of clutch toe-tap grabs, to help surge the Eagles to a 24-20 victory. His 19-yard sideline catch with 14 seconds remaining was the biggest catch of the day as it put the Eagles on the 3-yard-line and set up Darius Cooper’s game-winning touchdown.
Smith’s final stat line: 117 yards and one touchdown on 10 receptions.
Video: Gameday Central: Initial reaction to the Eagles’ comeback win vs. Titans
The 27-year-old looked just as composed on the field as he did in the postgame locker room.
“It was fun, man,” Smith said of the intense final drive. “Game on the line, all that. Shouldn’t have been that close, but you know, you live for moments like that.”
This performance comes one week after a modest showing from Smith. Against Washington, he was targeted six times and recorded just 53 yards (with a long of 31 yards). Not terrible, but also not the stat line he wanted in his first game of the post-A.J. Brown era.
DeVonta Smith (left) and Jalen Hurts celebrate Smith’s touchdown catch on Sunday.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
On Sunday, though, Smith looked like a true No. 1 option — hauling in acrobatic catches and creating separation with ease. Smith was asked what it was like to finally be the “go-to guy” after the win.
“I take a lot of pride in it,” Smith said. “I feel like it was time. It was time for me to go out there, for me to show what I can do, that I can be that guy. I had an opportunity and I went out there and did it.”
According to his teammates, Smith’s performance and leadership — especially during the game’s most turbulent moments — was infectious. The Eagles logged 264 yards through the air on Sunday. Their receivers accounted for both passing touchdowns. Nine players were targeted and the non-Smith receivers tallied 114 total yards.
Cooper — a training-camp success story as a second-year undrafted free agent who carved out a roster spot with a strong summer — scored the final touchdown to secure Jalen Hurts’ 14th career game-winning drive.
Dontayvion Wicks was effective too, totaling 74 yards on five catches, including a clutch 27-yard gain on the final drive. Wicks, who was an afterthought in three seasons with the Green Bay Packers, had 70 or more receiving yards for the second straight game — a feat he only accomplished one time last season.
He credits Smith — the “leader of the pack,” according to Wicks — for helping him stay motivated.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni (left) and assistant to the head coach Cole Peterson (right) dance off the field after beating the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville, Tenn. on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles head coach Nick Sirianni celebrates after the Eagles beat the Tennessee Titans.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley after throwing the game-winning touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver Darius Cooper catches the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper catches a touchdown with 9 seconds left in the fourth quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni celebrates after they beat the Tennessee Titans.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerHappy Philadelphia Eagles fans after the Eagles scored a touchdown with seconds left in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens lifts up Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper after Cooper makes the winning touchdown with seconds left in the fourth quarter. David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fan holds up a Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith jersey with seconds left in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts throws the football late in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter gets help coming off the field in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fan is sweating it out with the Eagles trailing 20-17 in the fourth quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon gets stopped by Tennessee Titans cornerback Marcus Harris.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith catches first down pass against Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen defends Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate with 12:50 left in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts scrambles out of trouble and throws an incomplete pass with 8 seconds left in the third quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Johnny Mundt is brought down by Tennessee Titans linebacker Cody Barton in the third quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni while the Tennessee Titans are driving in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun stop Tennessee Titans running back Nicholas Singleton in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley pushed out of bounds by Tennessee Titans linebacker Cedric Gray in the third quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith hauls in a pass, but it was incomplete during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott watches his long field goal in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley running with the ball in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles defensive tackle Ty Robinson (left) and Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (right) try to block a field goal as time runs out in the first half against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun brings down Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor after Titans’ drive to the end zone late in the second quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley runs along the sideline with Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor defending.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fans cheer as the Eagles drive towards the end zone.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles head of security Big Dom DiSandro stops Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts as he is running out of bounds so he doesn’t hurt himself in the second quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby runs with the football during the second quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby celebrate Bigsby’s touchdown in the second quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks gets a first-down catch passed Tennessee Titans linebacker Cody Barton and Tennessee Titans linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. in the first quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerTennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker intercepts the ball from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in the first quarter and runs it just short of the end zone.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith gets a first down pass with Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor defending in the first quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Britain Covey returns the first punt of the game, defended by Tennessee Titans safety Erick Hallett, in the first quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fans get ready for the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
“He was looked at as the second guy, he waited his turn,” Wicks said of Smith’s status before A.J. Brown’s departure. “I mean, just to see his workday, to see how he works, it’s motivating. He’s embracing that world [as a WR1] and it’s making us better.
