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Jalen Hurts keeping teammates on their toes before Eagles’ preseason opener

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Jalen Hurts will start at quarterback in the Philadelphia Eagles’ NFL preseason opener on Thursday night, and the former Alabama signal-caller wants to make sure his teammates are ready to play.

Hurts has been popping quizzes on his offensive teammates in the hallways of the Eagles’ facility in advance of Philadelphia’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“You want to make sure everybody knows what they’re doing,” Hurts said on Tuesday. “It gives you reassurance when you’re on the field. You have certain routes that have certain rules in them, certain things that activate versus certain coverages, and want to make sure everybody’s doing that so there’s no hesitation on my behalf fearing that somebody may mess up or may not be aware of what they’re supposed to do.

“It takes communication, and I think that’s something, all of this, we just continue to grow with it, continue to learn each other, continue to learn this scheme.”

Hurts started the final four games of the 2020 season for the Eagles, and in the offseason, Philadelphia traded the quarterback that he replaced, Carson Wentz, to the Indianapolis Colts.

But new Eagles coach Nick Sirianni has declined to commit to Hurts as Philadelphia’s No. 1 quarterback for the 2021 season. In free agency this offseason, the Eagles signed 13-year veteran Joe Flacco, who has started 190 NFL games and won the MVP Award for Super Bowl XLVII.

On Tuesday, Sirianni said the Eagles’ quarterback rotation on Thursday night would follow their training-camp work schedule, with Hurts preceding 13-year veteran Joe Flacco and former Spain Park High School star Nick Mullens into the game.

“Same way it’s been playing out in practice,” Sirianni said. “Jalen will go with the starters, and then Joe will go in after him and Nick will go after him.”

Sirianni said he thought it will be easier to evaluate Hurts’ efficiency and effectiveness in the new offense in a game than it has been in tackle-prohibited practices because the quarterback will be free to use his elusiveness and ability to create if plays break down.

“I got onto Tyler, my assistant, is the one who’s blowing the whistle on sacks (at practice), so I said he was a little premature on a couple of those whistles the other day,” Sirianni said. “I really think this team knows how to practice. They know, ‘Hey, we’ve got to practice and stay away from the quarterback,’ so they’re doing a good job of that. And there’s things like, ‘Hey would he have gotten the sack there?’ I don’t know. The defense would say yes; the offense would say no. Now you’ll see that in the game because no two-hand touch on Thursday.”

The Steelers and the Eagles square off at 6:30 p.m. CDT Thursday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Pittsburgh already has played one preseason game. The Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 16-3 in the Hall of Fame Game last week to kick off the NFL’s return to preseason play.

Former Alabama All-American Landon Dickerson will not get his first NFL action on Thursday night. The offensive lineman is on Philadelphia’s non-football-injury list and has not practiced with the team since training camp opened last month.

A second-round choice in the NFL Draft on April 30, Dickerson is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He sustained the knee injury on Dec. 19 in Alabama’s 52-46 victory over Florida in the SEC Championship Game.

“Not going to put a timetable on Landon,” Sirianni said on Tuesday, “but I know he’s working hard with the training staff getting himself ready to go. I see him every day just working full-speed in meetings and working full-speed in walkthroughs and watching reps as well, so I’m pleased with where he is mentally. That’s all we can really judge on him right now – and where he is on his rehab schedule.”

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

MORE NFL:

· Former Alabama All-American returns to NFL after missing 2020 season

· Linebacker Josh Bynes returns to NFL

· Washington’s Landon Collins ready to play again

· Ryan Anderson stays with New York Giants

· O.J. Howard ‘not there yet’ in comeback from Achilles injury

· Rookie K.J. Britt eager for preseason opener with Bucs

· Eagles sign former Auburn defensive back again

· How many former SEC quarterbacks are on NFL rosters?



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Sports

Several Eagles suffer injuries just two days before preseason opener

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Things had been relatively quiet on the injury front for the Eagles throughout training camp, and Nick Sirianni had emphasized that his schedule and practice lengths were put in place specifically to increase player availability as the season approached. But, then, Tuesday’s practice happened.

We learned ahead of practice that defensive end Ryan Kerrigan elected to have surgery on his thumb and will be out for 7 to 10 days recovering. Both safety K’Vonn Wallace and left tackle Andre Dillard ended up making their way to the medical tent, under their own power, but didn’t end up returning to the field. Dillard has been seemingly losing the LT competition to Jordan Mailata, so any kind of set back could really confirm clarity for the starting spot.

And a rather big one, was wide receiver Michael Walker who ended up being carted off the field with a right leg injury.

We know of a slew of other injured Eagles players, but most seem to be dealing with minor issues, with the team is being more precautionary with getting them back on the field. Brandon Brooks noted last week that he’s feeling good and doesn’t expect to need much time to get back in the swing of things with his nearly 10 years of NFL experience.

This was the team’s last practice before their preseason game on Thursday against the Steelers, and have just a walk-through on Wednesday. Here’s hoping they are able to get some of these guys back on the field, especially some of the younger players fighting for a roster position.



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Sports

Steelers vs. Cowboys: Steelers outlast Dallas 16-3 in preseason opener

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It had been since 2019 the National Football League had a preseason game. In 2021, with the official preseason cut from four to three games, the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers stayed with four exhibition games. That fourth game was the annual Hall of Fame game which takes place in Canton, OH to kickoff the preseason.

With both teams brimming with potential, their veterans were nothing but onlookers Thursday night, but that didn’t mean there weren’t players fighting for their professional lives.

The Steelers received the football to start the game, and that meant the offense took the field, even though Ben Roethlisberger and several others were watching instead of playing. With Mason Rudolph under center, the Steelers had a balanced approach which took them into Dallas territory. But after several Najee Harris runs, and a Chase Claypool third down reception, Rudolph’s handoff to Claypool on an end around was fumbled and recovered by Dallas.

With a short field, the Cowboys’ offense was able to create push along the offensive line, and it eventually put them in a first and goal situation. However, the Pittsburgh pass rush, mainly Alex Highsmith, stalled the drive and forced a 29 yard field goal.

Hunter Niswander’s kick was good, giving the Cowboys an early 3-0 lead.

The Steelers’ ensuing drive saw the Steelers pick up a first down with a Harris run, but a third down pass sailed right through Chase Claypool’s hands resulting in Pressley Harvin’s first action as a professional.

Dallas took over at their own 10-yard line to start the second quarter, and they drove methodically down the field into the red-zone. Facing another third and goal, Cassius Marsh was able to get free and create a strip sack. The field goal attempt was blocked, giving the Steelers their third offensive possession of the game.

The Steelers had their first big play of the game with a 45-yard completion from Mason Rudolph to Chase Claypool, but the drive stalled at the 30 yard line.

This forced a 49 yard field goal attempt by Sam Sloman which was missed badly.

With another short field, Dallas was facing a 4th and 15. It looked as if they had converted the play, but Justin Layne was able to strip the ball and Antoine Brooks Jr. recovered the ball.

The Steelers took over at their own 35 yard line, and Dwayne Haskins took over at quarterback for Pittsburgh. After a quick first down, the drive stalled. The good news was rookie punter Pressley Harvin was able to pin Dallas at their own one-yard line.

However, the Steelers’ defense was unable to stop the run, and allowed Dallas to take valuable time off the clock. A roughing the passer call on Isaiah Buggs on third down extended the drive and gave the Cowboys new life. The Cowboys did attempt a 52-yard field goal at the end of the half, and it was missed badly.

Dallas took a 3-0 lead into halftime.

The Cowboys received the ball to start the second half, and with Ben Dinucci at quarterback Dallas was unable to gain a first down. On the ensuing punt Matthew Sexton nearly returned the punt for a touchdown.

Dwayne Haskins remained in the game, and connected with Kevin Rader for a big first down play. After an Anthony McFarland run it put the Steelers in the red-zone for the first time of the game. Two plays later it was Kalen Ballage plunging into the endzone for the first touchdown of the game.

Right on cue, however, Sam Sloman missed another kick, giving the Steelers a 6-3 lead.

It didn’t take long for the Steelers to get the ball back after a pass sailed on Dinucci and was intercepted by Donovan Steiner. The Steelers were able to turn the takeaway into points, but not a touchdown. Instead, they settled for a Sloman field goal making the score 9-3.

Heading into the fourth quarter the 9-3 score stood, and after both teams exchanged possessions it was the Steelers who struck next. With Josh Dobbs at quarterback the Steelers ran the ball into a first and goal situation. On 3rd down Dobbs hit Tyler Simmons for the Steelers’ second touchdown of the game.

After Sloman nailed the extra point, the Steelers had a 16-3 lead with 8:44 left in regulation.

After a muffed punt return, the Cowboys gave the ball right back to Dobbs and the Steelers’ offense. Despite finding themselves in a first and goal situation, the Steelers failed on 4th down and gave the ball back to Dallas inside two minutes remaining. When the dust settled, the score remained 16-3, in favor of the Steelers.

The win marks the Steelers first win during this preseason, and they now prepare for another Thursday game when they travel to play the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 of the NFL preseason. Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the 2021 regular season.

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Sports

Ohio State football voted overwhelming 2021 Big Ten favorite in cleveland.com preseason poll

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football begins the season with a first-time quarterback, an unsettled running back situation, and new starters at over half of its defensive positions.

Those unknowns do not lower the Buckeyes’ expectations within the Big Ten Conference.

Ohio State was the near-unanimous preseason favorite in the 2021 cleveland.com Preseason Big Ten Poll. All but one of the 34 members of our voting panel picked the Buckeyes — the four-time defending champions — to win the Big Ten East and the championship game.

(NOTE: Due to a tabulation error, Ohio State was originally credited with being the unanimous choice to win the Big Ten championship game.)

The voters picked Wisconsin as the West favorite with 29 first-place votes. Second-place Iowa received the other five first-place votes. One voter picked Wisconsin to defeat the Buckeyes in the Big Ten championship game.

Cleveland.com picked up the responsibility for organizing the poll for posterity when the Big Ten dropped it 11 years ago. The panel included at least one beat writer from all 14 Big Ten teams and a few who cover the entire league or have a national perspective.

• Olave voted Preseason Offensive Player of the Year

• Northwestern safety Brandon Joseph voted Preseason Defensive Player of the Year

Ohio State was voted the preseason favorite for the seventh time in the past nine years. It barely missed being the first the unanimous choice for champion since 2015. Michigan State won the Big Ten that season, as voters failed to predict the champion in each of the first six polls.

Each writer was asked to vote 1-7 in both divisions, with first-place votes worth seven points, second-place votes worth six and so on.

BIG TEN WEST

1. Wisconsin (29 first-place votes) 233 points

2. Iowa (5) 202

3. Northwestern 160

4. Minnesota 146

5. Nebraska 91.5

6. Purdue 72.5

7. Illinois 47

BIG TEN EAST

1. Ohio State (34 first-place votes) 238

2. Penn State 192

3. Indiana 169

4. Michigan 144

5. Maryland 79

6. Rutgers 77.5

7. Michigan State 52.5

BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Ohio State over Wisconsin (28)

Ohio State over Iowa (5)

Wisconsin over Ohio State (1)

OTHER POLL NOTES

• Iowa received votes to finish anywhere from first to fifth in the West. Rutgers was the most polarizing team in the East, picked to finish anywhere from third to last.

• Many voters presumably had to make a choice between Penn State and Indiana for second place in the East. They chose the Nittany Lions by a 23-11 margin on second-place votes.

• Only one voter (cleveland.com’s Doug Lesmerises) correctly picked Northwestern to win the West in the 2020 poll. Wisconsin and Minnesota were considered the division’s top two contenders, and the consensus vote picked the Wildcats to finish fifth. Instead, they reached the Big Ten championship game for the second time in three years.

Looking back at the poll’s history, here are the favorites and the eventual league champions since the divisional split, the introduction of the title game and the Big Ten shirking a full preseason ranking.

2020: Pick: Ohio State. Actual: Ohio State

2019: Pick: Michigan. Actual: Ohio State

2018: Pick: Ohio State. Actual: Ohio State.

2017: Pick: Ohio State. Actual: Ohio State.

2016: Pick: Ohio State. Actual: Penn State.

2015: Pick: Ohio State. Actual: Michigan State.

2014: Pick: Michigan State. Actual: Ohio State.

2013: Pick: Ohio State. Actual: Michigan State.

2012: Pick: Michigan. Actual: Wisconsin.

2011: Pick: Nebraska. Actual: Wisconsin.

Fields’ Bears jersey: Ohio State football fans can purchase Justin Fields’ new Chicago Bears jersey here. It’s available in white, blue and orange – and in men’s, women’s and youth sizes. There’s also a cheaper T-shirt option.

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More Buckeyes coverage

Are OSU’s receivers far better than any other title contender’s? The College Football Playoff Show

What’s up with 2022 linebacker recruiting? Hey, Stephen

Olave voted Preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year

NW safety Brandon Joseph voted Preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year

Sweden’s Theo Melin Öhrström on how Ohio State stands out

Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux: Buckeyes’ best opponents, No. 1

How Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman sparked recruiting war with OSU

Purdue DE George Karlaftis: Buckeyes’ best opponents, No. 2

Will OSU face a new Big Ten title game opponent in 2021?

Jaiden Ausberry, five-star 2023 LB, puts Ohio State in top 10

Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson: Buckeyes’ best opponents, No. 3

Which Buckeye wins an individual award this season? Hey, Buckeye Talk

Who will represent OSU at 2021 Big Ten Media Days?

Indiana QB Michael Penix Jr.: Buckeyes’ best opponents, No. 4

What Treyaun Webb’s commitment to Oklahoma means for OSU

Ginn Jr.’s greatness was realized most when he was gone: Lesmerises

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