Commanders Plan Aggressive Defense Against Eagles’ Hurts in NFC Championship

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Washington Commanders are preparing to treat Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts like a running back in Sunday’s NFC Championship game, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt announced Thursday. The strategy comes as Hurts continues to recover from a knee injury sustained in the divisional round.

“If he’s going to run the ball, we’re going to treat him like a running back and hit him that way,” Whitt said. “That’s their decision if they want to get him hit the way he gets hit. If they don’t, they’ll keep him in the pocket.”

Hurts, who rushed 10 times for 39 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles’ previous matchup against Washington, suffered a knee injury during a scramble in the divisional round against the Los Angeles Rams. He was limited in Wednesday’s walkthrough but upgraded to a full participant in Thursday’s practice.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni downplayed Whitt’s comments, noting that Hurts is accustomed to aggressive defensive tactics. “Every team is going to try to tackle Jalen like a running back,” Sirianni said. “He’s running with the football. They’ll try to tackle him. We ultimately are cautious with how we use him and how we think about each play because we know how important it is to have him out there.”

The Eagles are aiming for their second Super Bowl appearance in three years, while the Commanders seek their first trip since 1991. Both teams face injury concerns heading into the game. Washington’s guard Sam Cosmi (knee) and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (knee/finger) did not practice Wednesday, while Philadelphia listed Hurts and cornerback Darius Slay (shoulder) as limited participants.

Hurts’ mobility remains a key factor in the Eagles’ offensive strategy. After his injury against the Rams, he attempted only three passes in the final 18 plays, completing all for 19 yards. His ability to run effectively on Sunday could determine the outcome of the game.

The NFC Championship kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the winner advancing to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.