Eagles' Jalen Hurts shares advice for Browns' Shedeur Sanders after setback

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was unable to participate in Wednesday's joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles because of an oblique injury that likely will keep him from playing in Saturday's preseason game at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field. 

Sanders was able to spend some time on a golf cart with Eagles starter Jalen Hurts. Following the practice, Hurts offered Sanders some useful advice when asked about that interaction. 

"Yeah, I keep the conversation intimate," Hurts said, as shared by Cayden Steele of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "We had a very lengthy conversation. He came to me and just wanted to talk. I’m always there, as I said earlier, giving my perspective on what I see and how I’ve gone about things. Ultimately, it takes a great deal of patience and hard work and a sense of resilience. You got to want it. You got to want it. So I’m supporting him from where I am and wishing him nothing but the best with his opportunities." 

Hurts knows a little bit about what Sanders is dealing with this summer. The Eagles selected Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, but allegedly looked into acquiring either Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson in March 2022. Hurts later guided Philadelphia to Super Bowl LVII in February 2023, and he then received a five-year contract extension reportedly worth up to $255M with $179.3M guaranteed that spring. 

However, Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown seemed to criticize Hurts after the quarterback passed for just 108 yards in a game last December. While Hurts ultimately earned Super Bowl LIX MVP honors after he became the first quarterback since Joe Montana (1985) to record two-plus passing touchdowns, 50-plus rushing yards and a rushing score in a Super Bowl, some still see him as more of a game manager rather than as an elite quarterback. 

As for Sanders, he fell to the fifth round of this year's draft before the Browns took a flier on the former Colorado star. Sanders played well in his preseason debut on Aug. 8, but he nevertheless remained fourth on the Cleveland depth chart before he suffered an injury that potentially could end his preseason. 

"There’s a sense of obligation to be yourself, and that’s who I am, to be honest and genuine in expressing how I got to where I am today," Hurts added during his comments, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "It wasn’t an easy journey. It’s always going to present some challenges, but I’ll continue to be who I am, continue to carry myself in a humble way, and I’m always putting the work first. I’m aware of that. I know that’s still a torch that I hold. It’s something I respect and embrace and accept it for what it is. At the same time, I always put my focus on how I can be the best I can be, and hopefully my actions can speak louder than anything."

Veteran Joe Flacco is on track to serve as the Browns' starting quarterback for their Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7. Flacco's play and his health could determine if Sanders takes another in-game snap as a rookie.