This is one of the wilder turnovers of this or any season — and a bad look for Jalen Hurts in arguably the worst game of his career.
With Philadelphia threatening to score its first touchdown Monday night in the second quarter against the Chargers, the Eagles faced third-and-2 at the Los Angeles 21.
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Hurts forced a pass to A.J. Brown on a slant as Brown was surrounded by three defenders. Da’Shawn Hand was positioned perfectly for the interception and picked the ball off just beyond the line of gain.
Hand, being a defensive lineman, is not too familiar with handling the ball. And it showed. As he returned the ball, running back Will Shipley punched it out from behind, sending it hurtling back in Hurts’ direction.
Hurts was able to corral the ball. But just for a moment.
Almost as soon as Hurts gained control, 340-pound defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell was on top of him. And Caldwell successfully dislodged the ball.
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Chargers linebacker Troy Dye got to it first from there and made the wise decision, considering all that he’d just witnessed. Dye jumped on the ball and secured it on the turf with no effort for a return. The end result of the play saw the Chargers take over possession.
If you’re counting, that’s an interception thrown by Hurts to Hand, a lost fumble by Hand, a fumble recovery by Hurts, a lost fumble by Hurts and a fumble recovery by Dye. And yes, that’s two turnovers on one play for Philadelphia’s quarterback.
According to Elias Sports, Hurts was the first NFL player since 1978 to commit two turnovers on the same play.
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The Chargers converted the turnover into a field goal for a 10-3 lead late in the second quarter. And they went on to a 22-19 in overtime that ended with Hurts throwing his fourth interception of game on a night when he committed five total turnovers.
In a season filled with frustration for Philadelphia’s offense, this is a new low point.
