Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts displayed true grit and determination as he battled through a painful injury to lead his team to a crucial 28-23 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Despite stumbling and limping off the field after taking a direct hit to his injured left knee late in the first half, Hurts returned to the game and delivered a performance that left his teammates and fans in awe.
"It was a gritty win, it was a tough win," Hurts said. "Much respect to that team. Always very competitive and have great players. But I don't think the bye week could come at a better time."
Hurts had been dealing with knee pain for several weeks and had been wearing a brace on his left leg during the past three games. However, it was during a crucial play towards the end of the second quarter that Dallas defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence targeted his injured knee, leaving Hurts momentarily grounded and struggling to stand up.
"I was doubtful," left tackle Jordan Mailata said. "I was like, 'Damn, this is going to be a long night, especially if QB1 is out.' We have that next man mentality for sure, we trust Marcus [Mariota], but you don't want to get to that position where you have to rely on your QB2. Thank God he's a warrior, because he played through it."
Despite the setback, Hurts showed incredible resilience as he returned for the second half. On the first possession, he scrambled for a first down on a crucial third-and-2 play, extending the drive and setting the tone for what was to come. Hurts sealed the drive with a 29-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith, giving the Eagles a 21-17 lead.
In total, Hurts completed 17 of his 23 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns. He also showcased his running ability, rushing for 36 yards and a score on 10 carries. His performance not only inspired his teammates but also left a lasting impact on the outcome of the game.
The Eagles' defense stepped up when it mattered most, stopping the Cowboys at the 4-yard line as time expired, securing the victory. With this win, the Eagles improved to 8-1, while the Cowboys dropped to 5-3, giving Philadelphia some breathing room in the NFC East.
"I don't like it being that way," Hurts said of his teammates getting a boost by seeing him play through pain. "I'd love to be all good. But I'd do anything for this city and for my teammates. Simply put, whatever it takes. I'm just happy we were able to gut out this win. We showed so much resilience."
