Jalen Hurts heaps big praise on DeVonta Smith for playing through back injury vs Chiefs

Jalen Hurts praised DeVonta Smith, who battled a back injury to log 4 catches for 53 yards and clutch plays in the win against Chiefs on Sunday.

Published on: Sep 16, 2025, 05:52:43 IST

By Shamik Banerjee

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Philadelphia Eagles won against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday despite Jalen Hurts barely managing 100 yards. Despite a lack of individual brilliance from the Eagles' roster, the team managed to keep the weak Chiefs' offensive line in check for most of the game.

Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs. (Getty Images via AFP)

Hurts was full of praise for his teammates, especially wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who played through the game despite a back injury. Smith landed on his back while trying to catch a ball and hand was in pain. He was taken to the tent, but returned, despite the injury to the back.

Smith finished the game with four receptions for 53 yards, and Jalen Hurts was proud of the show he put up.

"He came down on his back, but he came up in the clutch. What else could you ask for?" Hurts told the media team of the Eagles on Monday. "Showing up when the moment requires someone to show up – a hell of a play by Smitty, the same play he made here two years ago, same part of the field, other one ended in a score.

"Overall, everyone stayed within themselves," he added.

Also read: Did Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers and Travis Kelce make donations to Charlie Kirk’s family? Fact check

Jalen Hurts Praise Team Performance

Jalen Hurts stressed the importance of being able to win a game despite the lack of form that can affect teams from time to time. Speaking after the game, he said: “The most important thing is finding a way to win."

"We showed up when we needed to the most," the QB continued. "Being able to play turnover-free football. There is a level of patience you have to have. Play within yourself.”

Hurts reiterated the point in the Eagles' official media update on Monday.

"Take pride in winning, one, and take pride in what is required to win," Hurts said. "As a team, defensively, they played lights out. Offensively, we showed up when we needed to. 26 (RB Saquon Barkley) showed up when we needed him to. We just want to continue to build."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shamik Banerjee
Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.