Eagles prepare for longer Hurts absence after updated blood-clot diagnosis

October 21 update

Goodell said Wednesday the NFL welcomes the union-requested review of Jalen Hurts’ medical care.

Earlier reporting

Update: October 20 - NFLPA asks for investigation

The NFL Players Association called Tuesday night for a full investigation into the medical care Jalen Hurts received. The union said it was unaware of any NFL investigation and that the league had previously told it there were no plans to review his care, ESPN reported.

Earlier Tuesday, NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills defended the Eagles' handling of the case at the owners' meetings. NFL.com reported his assessment that the care had been conservative and focused on the patient. League officials said they had remained in contact with the Eagles and Cleveland Clinic London.

ESPN separately reported that the Eagles would not face league punishment over the decision to clear Hurts for the October 11 game in London. The union's later demand for an investigation remains a separate development; the league's position does not establish that an independent review is complete. These statements set no return date for Hurts.

Earlier reporting

The Eagles are preparing for a longer stretch without Jalen Hurts after Monday's update on his health. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that he is expected to miss the rest of the season.

The Eagles and Hurts' agent, Nicole Lynn, said further testing established a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, which means blood clots were found in his lungs. Their joint statement described him as clinically stable and said contact activities, including football, are ruled out while he receives anticoagulation treatment.

The Monday morning statement:

The Eagles and Lynn said they expect a full recovery and no long-term effects. Hurts will remain around the team and continue conditioning. They said he could resume contact football when he is off the blood thinners, without setting a date for that step.

Rapoport and Schefter reported an expected recovery of three months. The likely absence for the rest of 2026 is their reported outlook; the team's statement does not give a fixed return date.

Schefter reported the change in Hurts' outlook Monday:

McKee continues after Saturday's roster move

Philadelphia had already placed Hurts on injured reserve Saturday. Monday's update changes the public diagnosis and expected length of his absence; a new IR decision is not pending.

Tanner McKee started Sunday's 25-14 loss to Carolina and remains the quarterback leading the offense while Hurts receives treatment. The Eagles signed Joe Milton from Dallas' practice squad Friday, joining McKee and rookie Cole Payton in their available quarterback group.

The updated diagnosis follows last week's announcement of a superficial clot in Hurts' calf. The Eagles' Monday statement says further testing and monitoring established the current diagnosis. The earlier reporting below records the announcements before Monday's update.

Earlier reporting: October 15–17

The Eagles placed Jalen Hurts on injured reserve Saturday, completing the move reported earlier in the afternoon as the quarterback continues treatment for a superficial blood clot in his calf. Philadelphia used the open roster spot to sign running back Jaydon Blue from its practice squad.

Hurts must miss at least four games. That stretch includes Sunday’s home game against Carolina and the Eagles’ following three NFC East games against Dallas, Washington and the Giants. Philadelphia has its bye in Week 10. No return date has been set.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the decision after further consultations with doctors and specialists. That reversed the plan reported Saturday morning to keep Hurts off injured reserve. The Eagles’ 4:16 p.m. announcement made the transaction official.

Tanner McKee will start against the Panthers. The Eagles’ Saturday game preview had already confirmed that assignment after Hurts was ruled out Thursday. McKee now faces the possibility of a longer run with the offense.

How the diagnosis developed

The Eagles’ October 15 statement traced the problem to discomfort Hurts reported after being cleated during the October 4 game against the Rams. He first sought treatment on October 8 and continued practicing fully.

An ultrasound after the team arrived in London revealed the clot. The Eagles said their medical staff and doctors in London determined that Hurts could safely play against Jacksonville. He played that game, received treatment after returning and practiced Wednesday before another ultrasound showed that the clot had moved.

The team’s original statement:

Philadelphia then held Hurts out of the Carolina game while doctors considered treatment. His medical team will determine when he can return.

McKee takes over

NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Reuben Frank and Dave Zangaro discussed the original diagnosis and McKee’s assignment Thursday, before Saturday’s injured-reserve decision. Their discussion begins with the team’s timeline and turns to the backup quarterback at 7:25:

Philadelphia also signed Joe Milton from the Cowboys’ practice squad Friday. The third-year quarterback joins McKee and rookie Cole Payton as the Eagles adjust their depth behind Hurts. Milton spent last season with Dallas after beginning his career in New England.

Blue gets his chance in Philadelphia

Blue joined the Eagles’ practice squad on September 1 after Dallas waived him during final cuts. The Cowboys had selected the Texas running back in the fifth round of the 2025 draft. He rushed for 129 yards and one touchdown on 34 carries across five games as a rookie. Philadelphia said he is positioned to make his Eagles debut Sunday.

The Eagles also elevated rookie outside linebacker Keyshawn James-Newby and safety Cole Wisniewski for the Carolina game. Both could make their NFL debuts.

The Eagles also ruled out four players who had been working toward returns from injured reserve: cornerback Jakorian Bennett, tight ends Grant Calcaterra and Eli Stowers, and guard Landon Dickerson. None was activated for Sunday’s game against Carolina.

The Eagles host Carolina at 1 p.m. Eastern Sunday. Their next game is against the Cowboys, making the quarterback change relevant to a division race in which Philadelphia has started 2-3.

Sources

• Jonathan Jones shares NFLPA statement seeking a Hurts investigation
• Nicole Lynn and Eagles: updated Jalen Hurts health statement
• Adam Schefter: Hurts expected to miss rest of season
• Eagles’ October 15 statement on Jalen Hurts
• NBC Sports Philadelphia: Hurts diagnosis and McKee discussion
• Schefter and Rapoport: Eagles decide to place Hurts on IR
• Eagles official diagnosis timeline
• Eagles sign Joe Milton from Dallas practice squad
• Eagles Saturday game preview confirms McKee start
• Eagles officially place Hurts on IR and sign Jaydon Blue
• Eagles and Nicole Lynn update Hurts diagnosis and treatment
• Dave Zangaro: Hurts likely out for season
• NFL: Hurts likely out for rest of season; Saturday IR already confirmed
• NFL.com: Sills defends Eagles’ handling of Hurts’ care
• ESPN: Reports say Eagles will not face league punishment
• ESPN: NFLPA calls for full investigation
• NFL review