Daily, October 16th: Jalen Hurts Is OUT, Tanner McKee Will Start vs Panthers

What's going on, everybody? And good morning! Today is Friday, October 16th, and this is your daily Go Birds morning update, giving you all the Eagles news you need to know, as well as what to keep an eye out for today. And much like I said at the beginning of the emergency pod, I say good morning, but we all know it's not a good morning in Eagles land, because the news, the season, and really the vibe of the team just keeps going down the drain. The news keeps going from bad to worse every time you try to talk yourself into, yeah, they could turn it around, they played good against the Jags, the Panthers, but another thing comes, and there is perhaps no worse news they could get than the news they got on Thursday that Jalen Hurts, the starting quarterback, the franchise quarterback, and the guy that really, despite not playing great this year for sure, one of the most dependable players on the offense right now, when you consider all the other starters, is out. Jalen Hurts will not play on Sunday due to a blood clot in his calf. We will get into as many of the details as we can with that, but the truth is right now, and the scariest thing is, we just don't know, and it's a will see. The Eagles don't know, anyone online that is guessing doesn't know, anybody that is thinking the worst-case scenario doesn't know, and that's kind of just what they want to believe. Anybody that's guessing the best-case scenario doesn't know, and that's what they want to believe. So, for the first time in a long time, the Eagles are left in a state of unknown, and it's been a while since they've been there. So, we will get into everything we do know with Jalen Hurts and the blood clot. We will try to preview this game. We might as well start it as Friday, the game's in about 48 hours, with a look at the Eagles defense versus the very talented Panthers offense. And yeah, get through this thing together. I know I say on the Monday pods after a loss, the real ones listen on a Monday after a loss. If you're listening now, I love you, we're in this together, let's keep this thing moving. So, I'll start where I normally do. One thing we don't have to be sad about is Treehouse Books. Treehouse Books, a local non-profit in North Philadelphia that works to get books into the hands of local kids. They've been doing it for years. We've been working with them for the past four years. We've been lucky enough to raise, lucky enough I should say, you guys have been awesome enough to raise almost enough for just around 9,000 books. So far, we have a goal this year of $25,000. We're just a little under 3,000. It would be awesome if we could get to 3,000 by Sunday. You know, if there's one good thing that will come out of the season, maybe it can be a big donation to Treehouse Books. We all love Philadelphia. A lot of us live here. Let's try to make some good and help while you can. So one $5 donation equals one new book into the hands of a kid. If you donate $100, that's 20 new books, and you get an awesome t-shirt designed by the one and only Olivia Smith. So make a donation if you can. The link is in the podcast description. All right, so the Eagles practice Wednesday, and Jalen was on the practice report, full participant with a calf injury. Well, prior to practice on Thursday, a statement was released by the team releasing the news that Jalen has a blood clot and will not play this upcoming Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. So the statement reads, and I will read it and then break part of it down as I go. So quote, on Thursday, October 8th, so this is prior to the game in London, Jalen visited the training room after practice, requesting treatment for his calf. He informed the medical staff he had been cleared during the Rams game on October, he had been cleated during the Rams game on October 4th. This was his first treatment session for the calf injury following the game, after having practiced in full both Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, Jalen received treatment, practiced in full, and was added to the practice report. So, side note, he gets cleated during the Rams game, he doesn't report it until after practice on Thursday, gets treatment on, gets treatment, practices, and it practices in full, but is on the injury report with the calf injury. Then, quote, out of an abundance of caution, an ultrasound was performed on Saturday following the team's flight to London and walkthrough. The ultrasound revealed a superficial blood clot. Our medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the results and concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play. Doctors recommended a follow-up ultrasound in 72 hours of the game and the return flight to Philadelphia. End quote. So, he gets an ultrasound in London. The team doctors and the doctors in London say it's safe for him to play. He plays and he's scheduled to get an ultrasound. So, quote, Jalen played without limitation in the game Sunday, received treatment on Monday and Tuesday, and practiced in full on Wednesday as reflected in the practice report. Throughout our time in London and this week, we have remained in communication with the league office regarding this matter. On Wednesday night, a follow-up ultrasound revealed movement in the small blood clot. Jalen will be out for Sunday's game versus the Panthers as we determine the appropriate course of treatment. His health and safety are our highest priority. End quote. So, some important stuff in there, right? He is cleared by doctors to play in the game on Sunday. He is cleared by doctors, obviously, to fly back from London to Philadelphia. It seems like he doesn't have any other kind of feelings that maybe something is wrong. And he has the follow up ultrasound, which they recommended prior to him playing in the game. And that's what's revealed that the blood clot has moved. So, the first thing I'll say is this. I've seen a lot of takes out there, like, how could Eagle's doctors let him fly to London? How could Eagle's doctors let him? Like, I talk about sports for a living. You are a sports fan. A big part of that is second guessing. Why did they draft this player? Why did they sign that player? Why did they make this decision? Why did he kick it in bounds? Why didn't they prioritize the clock against the Jaguars? Like, that's what we do, right? But I think when it comes to medical stuff, you just kinda have to give them the benefit of the doubt. Like, the doctors obviously were trying their best to see what was going on. And I think everyone tried in their best ability to make the best medical decision they can. So, you will not catch me criticizing the team or the doctor for this. I think they tried their best. The doctors in London agreed. They have nothing to do with the Eagles doctors, right? So, they're all trying their best and this is where we are at. There is also a lot of guessing right now. How long will he be out? What's going on? So, here is, and again, this guy is guessing as well, but Dr. David Chow, the sports doctor, used to work for the Chargers, does a really good job online diagnosing injuries. Clearly, this is a bit different, but is always pretty dependable, I think, with his analysis of things. So, he's a doctor, I'm not, some of you might be, but the majority of you are probably not. So, here's what he had to say about what he believes is going on with Jalen. Breaking news on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. He will miss this week for sure, but what about beyond and what is the cause and reason for all of this? This is Dr. David Chow, Pro Football Doc at Sports Injury Central, sicscore.com. The announcement literally just came minutes ago, still dissecting through what the issue is. The Eagles made a statement that he will be out for this game and fully evaluated related to a small blood clot. What do we know? Apparently Jalen Hurts got cleated in the Rams game the week before and subsequently was evaluated in the training room after practice, after Thursday, October 8th. And on Friday, he was listed as full practice with a calf issue. The Eagles did everything properly there. They flew to London, which can cause blood clots with immobilization and flights. He was checked again in London and apparently an ultrasound revealed a small superficial blood clot. So not deep vein thrombosis, but superficial vein thrombosis. And as a result of that, it was cleared to play. Now of course the flight home and appropriate follow-up ultrasound. Apparently the clot, let's get the wording correctly, that the clot he practiced again and the follow-up real movement in the small blood clot. It's still said to be superficial. Deep vein thrombosis are what is difficult and dangerous. Superficial can progress to deep. Right now, they're saying superficial. He's clearly missing this game. The Eagles are taking every precaution. But here's the issue. What caused it? Was it inactivity on the flight and the cleating and accidental and superficial? Or is there now potentially a deeper issue? Does he need to be anti-coagulated? If he needs blood thinners, he will be ruled out because of the risk of bleed, especially a hit to the head brain bleed. You can't have that. Until we figure out the cause of this, we won't know the cure. But anytime a blood clot is involved, it easily could involve multiple weeks. Let's hope it's superficial, not deep. Let's hope it's not progressing. Let's hope he doesn't have to be on long-term anti-coagulants, or it could have a huge impact. Always safety first. Wishing Jalen Hurts and the Eagles the best. So far, the Eagle statement means there's no shenanigans. They seem to come clean with everything. They weren't hiding anything from the world. It's a surprise to them as well. It does explain the unusual calf injury that Jalen Hurts was referring to. We'll let you know more at sportscenturycentralsicscore.com. A good case scenario is just this week for precautions, testing, no anticoagulation, no progression, and he's back next week. That's not the expected scenario. The expected scenario is at least a multi-week absence, and if there's anticoagulation needed or other treatment, it could extend to include potentially even season. Let's hope not. Go to sicscore.com for all the latest. So I think the truth is, eagles might not know what's gonna happen, right? Like everyone's out there being like, it'll probably be at least two weeks, or maybe it'll be four. Like we don't know, because in three days it could clear up, he could be fine. In three days it could be worse, and it could hopefully not be worse, and it could be more serious. Like we just don't know. So the eagles will have to wait at this point. Now what we do know is that Tanner McKee is going to start on Sunday. Tanner McKee, obviously, now the backup quarterback with Andy Dalton cut the roster at quarterback as much thinner than it used to be. And as a result, they go into this game as of now, as of this recording. Andy Dalton might get re-signed, maybe he's re-signed after this recording. But Andy Dalton, not on the roster. So it'll be Tanner and Cole Payton. Cole Payton, of course, a rookie that's never played in a game outside of special teams against the Jaguars. So they're very, very thin at quarterback. And so now they will try to beat the Panthers with Tanner McKee. And we will talk about that more later today. We will talk about them more on Go Birds! Radio on Saturday. But this pod right now is about Jalen. And I just think we all have to wait and see. And trust me, like, I'm an impatient guy. I love hypotheticals. I love trying to figure out what's going on. But right now, like, we just don't know what's gonna happen. So hopefully we get more information. Hopefully this thing clears up. I think if there's any solace to take right now, it is that it appears to be, as of now, the less serious of the blood clots, and those things can clear up, as Dr. Chow said. Or it could get worse. We'll just have to wait. So that is the news, and we know Tanner is starting. Now, the other thing is, from an injury perspective, we're all out of whack here in terms of our order of things, but Devonte Smith and Saquon Barkley didn't practice on Thursday. So they, it appears, are gonna be without Devonte and Saquon, which means, going into this game, the starting lineup could look something like this, as I pull up this starting lineup. It could be Tanner McKee at quarterback, Damon Pierce at running back, Dontavian Wicks at wide receiver, McKay Lemon at wide receiver, Darius Cooper at wide receiver, Dallas Goddard at tight end, Jordan Milada at left tackle, Willie Lampkin at left guard, some combination of Drew Kendall or Jake Majors at center, Tyler Steen at right guard, and Mark Hellbell at right tackle. Like, look at that, right? Think about this time last year, AJ, Devontae, Dallas, Saquon, Lane, Kam, Landon, Jordan. Like, look, it doesn't mean this group can't play better than that group. That group has not played well for the past year and plus games. But just the difference in like all pros, pro bowls, money, like accomplishments, right? I mean, McKay Lemon is the team's first round pick. He's one of the highest paid players on the offense right now. Like, he makes more than Tanner. He makes more than Damon Pierce. He makes more than Cooper. He makes more than Lampkin, Kendall, Major, Steen, Bell. He makes more than all of them. So, things have changed really, really quick. And just from a vibes perspective, it's just another hit. It's another hit on a team that really, really needed some good news. And the bad news seemingly keeps coming. So, yeah, Jalen out on Sunday. And it looks like no Saquon. It looks like no Devante. And it looks like Tanner McKee will start in this game. Okay, let's preview this matchup. A matchup that obviously looks a lot different than it did two weeks ago, 10 days ago, three days ago, 24 hours ago. A matchup that's very different. So we will, we're gonna talk about the offense, the Panthers offense versus the Eagles defense today. Because clearly on the Eagles offense, there are a lot of questions right now. Who will play, who won't. We know Jalen will not play. And we will certainly dive into what that means in pods later in the week. And we did a little bit in the emergency pod. And we will find out about Sequon and Devontae and all of them later in the day. So I think doing the offense right now would be a little bit silly. Let's start with the better side of the ball for the Carolina Panthers. Their offense versus the better side of the ball for the Philadelphia Eagles. Their defense. So the Panthers offense, it's impressive. It's an impressive unit. And really it starts with Bryce Young and Macmillan, the wide receiver who's been unbelievable this year. Bryce Young, super impressive. If you've listened to this pod for a few years, you know I'm not a huge Bryce Young guy, but credit where credit is due. He's been unbelievable so far. Nine touchdowns, two interceptions, 62% completion percentage, just under 1,300 yards. A passer rating over 100. And he's doing it all from the pocket. Only six attempts rushing. I think only one turnover worthy play all season and eight or nine big time throws. He has been awesome from the pocket. He sits back and both Vic Fangio and Nick Sarani have mentioned this week. What makes him so impressive is a quarterback. It's not his size, right? He's not a big dude. Jalen is not the biggest quarterback, but he has muscle on him, right? That's not even Bryce Young. Bryce Young is a slender quarterback. But what makes Bryce Young so impressive is how quickly he gets rid of the ball. And both Nick and Vic Fangio mentioned that this week. They mentioned, gets rid of the ball quick, super fast processor. Can't help but wonder if they feel their own quarterback gets rid of the ball quick. We know he does not. And he's been better at processing. He's been better at going through his reads. But I don't think any opposing defensive coordinator or head coach would mention those things with Jalen, right? So just interesting to know Bryce seems to do some things that Jalen doesn't do well. And let's be honest, Bryce is playing better than Jalen is right now. That's just a fact. Like if you're ranking quarterbacks, Jalen still I think belongs ahead of Bryce simply because of everything he's accomplished. But in terms of who's playing better right now, yeah, it's Bryce Young. Bryce Young is playing better than Jalen is. So Bryce Young, like I said, nine touchdowns, two interceptions, takes care of the ball, does an awesome job. And as a result of getting really good quarterback play, they have a really good offense. They are fourth in the league in points per game, as of this recording at least, this is prior to Thursday Night Football. So fourth in the league in points per game, seventh in the league in points per drive, so they're consistently scoring when they get the ball. They move the ball up and down the field. And remember when the Eagles played the Rams, the Rams moved the ball up and down the field. They just were unable to convert in the red zone as much early on in the game. Obviously at the end, they did in those two big drives. But the Eagles defense did give up a lot of yardage in that Rams game, and they gave up a lot of yards to the Jags too. They just held them at the red zone a few times. So third in the league in yards per game, super impressive for a young Carolina team. Now they're not great in situational football. They're third down, they're 17th, red zone, they're 10th. And part of that is because they're not great at rushing the ball. They're not terrible at it. They're certainly better than the Eagles are. But rushing yards per game, they are 12th, and they're a passing team. They're 8th in the league in passing the ball in yards per attempt. So they're very, very good at passing it, only okay at running it, but they're good overall at moving the ball up and down the field. And that's because they make big plays in the passing game. They're 8th in the league in passing plays of 20 plus yards, 11th in passing plays of 40 plus yards, not as good in the running plays. Only three runs of 20 plus yards this year, no runs of 40 plus yards. So really good passing game, not a great offensive side, not a great running game, I should say. So the running backs, Chubba Hubbard, shout out, been a while since we talked about him, 61 attempts, 306 yards, three touchdowns, and the Eagles' old friend, Mr. Positivity Rabbit from last year, AJ Dillon, 17 attempts, 43 yards on the season, so hasn't gotten it a ton, but has played more this year than he did for the Eagles last year, that's for sure. So Hubbard, obviously, the main running back there, and 306 yards, three touchdowns, not terrible, but they've not been a super strong running game. And part of that is because their offensive line is only okay. Actually, they've not been great this year. They've been actually bad. So they're not a great run blocking unit or a great pass blocking unit. But the reason they can move the ball up and down the field is because of the stud receiver they have. T-Mac, I think is what he likes to go by, but Totero, I believe it is, McMillan. But we'll call him T-Mac, we'll call him McMillan. We'll call him a number one receiver. He is a dominant number one receiver. 39 targets, 26 catches, 385 yards, two touchdowns. He has the size, he makes big plays down the field, he's dangerous after the catch, he's a good route runner. I mean, he's been one of the best receivers in the NFL. Now, the question is, how will they go about matching up with them? Because we know that they've played side so far this year, right? Quinian plays one side, Tariq Wolin plays the other. And McMillan will line up all over. So, the Panthers could decide to pick their matchup. The Eagles could decide, look, we know the only way the Panthers can move the ball, at least the most dangerous way for them to move the ball, is targeting McMillan. And if we put Quinian on them, we feel good about that matchup. So, they could have Quinian follow McMillan. We'll see if that's something Vic wants to do. If not, if I'm the Panthers, I'm lining him up from Tariq Wolin and I'm seeing if Wolin can stop him. Like, Wolin has been a great man coverage corner this year. Well, not great this year, but he's been a great man coverage corner throughout his career. Not as good, obviously, in zone. And if you're the Eagles, or sorry, I should say if you're the Panthers, I like that matchup of Tariq Wolin versus McMillan. So, will the Eagles make it so Quinian follows him? Like, that's the benefit of having number one receiver, number one corner. That's the benefit of paying Quinian all the money they're gonna pay him is, in a game that you have to win, with one dominant receiver, you can go put him on him. So, we'll see if Quinian stacks up against McMillan. As far as other receivers, they throw it to the tight end quite a bit, but the other receiver they have of note, Jalen Cooker, 22 targets, 18 catches, 222 yards, two touchdowns. So, a lot of twos there. 22 targets, 222 yards, two touchdowns. You know, he eats a little bit because Macmillan draws so much attention. Not like an outstanding talent or anything like that. So, you know, if the Eagles do decide to move Quinian around, that would mean moving, that would mean moving Woollen around as well. And I think you would like that matchup of Cooker versus Tariq Woollen. But they do throw it to the tight end quite a bit. As I said, 24 targets to the tight end so far. In the five games they've played, or I should say, sorry, 34 targets, 24 catches so far. Just over 200 yards and two touchdowns combined between Darren Waller, that's right, Darren Waller and Tommy Tremble, who's not as involved. So Darren Waller, the main tight end they like to target in the passing game. But like I said, not a good offensive line, and that's part of the reason, A, Bryce Young gets rid of it so quickly because pressure can get there if he holds on to it. But then also, they're not a great running game because of the offensive line. So who is their offensive line? Well, first up, you got Monroe Freeling. Yes, that Monroe Freeling that many Field Eagles have traded up to go get. Certainly a conversation worth having now, considering what has happened with Lane Johnson retiring already. And look, I'm excited about Mark Hellbell, but Mark Hellbell not playing great. Monroe Freeling hasn't been awesome so far. He's allowed 20 pressures, certainly not great. 64th in pass blocking, but you like the upside there. I wasn't like, I liked him coming out. I thought he was a good prospect, certainly a really good athletic prospect, but I wasn't pounding the table for them to trade up for Monroe Freeling, so it would be hypocritical of me to say it now, but the fact that a week where the Eagles offensive line is so begged up and Monroe Freeling is there, has to hurt a little bit, probably, for Howey. So that's the right tackle, Monroe Freeling. The other right side, right guard, Robert Hunt. 44th in pass blocking, 12th in pressure, so not a strong right side of the line. Now, no Jalex Hunt this week. We'll see if Granard is able to play, but if Granard's able to play, you line him up across from Monroe Freeling and you ask him to win. Now, again, dealing with an ankle injury, we'll see if he's able to get out there, but that's a matchup. The Eagles can win. At center, bad pass blocking center. Luke Fortner, 32nd in pass blocking, 15th pressure, 15 pressures allowed. I mean, they have a line that just allowed a lot of pressures. They've allowed the most pressures in the NFL with 69 and their 32nd in pass blocking efficiency. So look, like you pay, and I feel like a broken record, but you pay Jalen Carter a lot of money. You pay Jordan Davis a lot of money. Mauro Jomo wants to get paid a lot of money. Well, Robert Hunt, Luke Fortner, Corey Bullock, their left guard, 57th in pass blocking. None of them are good at pass blocking. So get pressure up the middle. Now, the tough thing is, obviously, Bryce Young gets rid of it quickly, right? And Bryce Young is not sacked a lot as a result. So they can win the matchup, but if Bryce Young is getting rid of it, then you gotta tackle. And tackling's been an issue so far for the Eagles. I believe Cooper DeGene has allowed the most, or has the most missed tackles of any nickel corner in the NFL. Tariq Wolin's tackling has been questionable. Quinian's a good tackler, but if they're gonna get it out quick, if they're gonna get quick outs to the receivers, if they're gonna get quick throws over the middle to their tight ends, then they gotta tackle. So the defensive line can do its job by just forcing the ball out quickly, but then it's on the rest of the defense to tackle when they get that opportunity. The left tackle, which would be up against Nolan Smith, Rashid Walker, also not great. 15 pressures allowed, 49th in pass blocking. So I will say at left guard, Damian Lewis is their normal starting left guard. We'll see if he's able to play this week, but if not, it'll be Corey Bullock, and it seems like Damian Lewis is very up in the air. But even if he does play, this is an offensive line. They should be able to get pressure against. It really is just gonna come down to how quickly does Bryce Young get rid of it? How well are they disguising what they're doing pre-snap? How good is Quinian doing against McMillan? Is he winning that matchup? If you can take McMillan away, you can stop the run. This is absolutely a matchup. The Eagles defense can win. So two weeks ago, I would have given the advantage to the Panthers offense versus Eagles defense. They just weren't playing great. But silly as it sounds, this Eagles defense under Vic Fangio is normally way better the second half of the season, or I should say after the first month of the season. Ironically, when the Phillies are gone, they were really good last week. Obviously, some injuries, Jalex Hunt not playing is gonna hurt them, but I'm gonna give the advantage to the Eagles defense in this one. I think they can hold them into the low 20s. The question of course is, can this Eagles offense without 80% of their starters, now including the quarterback, score more than that? And we will dive into that later in the week. So go out, try to enjoy your Friday, because what else can you do at this point? Until next time, he's Eliot, I'm James. Talk to you guys later.