NFL insider notes: Jalen Hurts' case to be Eagles starting quarterback strengthened by his absence

Hurts was sorely missed in Philly's second preseason game, plus a look at Pats skill positions and Urban Meyer

Jalen Hurts being a late scratch Thursday night was disappointing for all, but it certainly seemed as if the youngster's absence only strengthened his grip on the Eagles' starting job. The second-year quarterback was scheduled for duty, and even warmed up normally, but did not face the Patriots due to an illness. It was nothing major, but enough to keep him out, and given the Eagles' struggles on the offensive line -- snapping and blocking -- having the potential franchise QB sit this out was prudent. Life was difficult for Joe Flacco all around, getting pummeled on the first drive trying to make a play on a bad snap that led to a turnover, throwing an interception and being a part of a hodge-podge unit that was overwhelmed by New England's starting defense. From what I saw of Hurts earlier in the week, in the joint practices with the Patriots leading up to this exhibition game, he looks up to the task. Hurts was the most consistently effective quarterback on display in those sessions, excelling in special situations as well as between the 20s, and his athleticism and unpredictable style was a problem for the Patriots. Particularly on designed boots and roll-outs, when Hurts went to his right, bad things happened to the opposing defense. Hurts could make plays flipping the ball to running back Miles Sanders, or by keeping it himself, and he is at ease throwing on the run, making pretty passes in intermediate quadrants and deep down the sideline as well. Yeah, it does cut the field off, somewhat, but Hurts is not averse to firing across his body to the opposite side if need be, and the energy he brought to the huddle and the way his teammates responded to him (both offense and defense from the sidelines) was infectious. Oh, and some of the Patriots noticed, too. "Jalen is a person I followed all through college," Patriots quarterback Cam Newton said, "and hearing so much about him really in high school from the Houston area ... For me to see him out there today it's always love, and it's always going to be love." Craving even more NFL coverage focusing on previews, recaps, news and analysis? Listen below and follow the Pick Six podcast for a daily dose of everything you need to follow pro football. Hurts looked like the leader of this offense, and his ability to force defenses to account for the quarterback position in a way that Flacco, at age 36 and coming off several injury-marred seasons, just can't at this stage. They complement each other well, and rookie head coach Nick Sirianni seems able to toggle the offense to their strengths. At this point it remains to be seen if Hurts plays in the final preseason game next week, but the Eagles have another week of joint practices, and he can probably get the best controlled work there, anyway, and at some point this staff will declare him the Week 1 starter.