Jalen Hurts' Blood Clot Complicates Already Devolving Eagles' Season

In what's been quickly disintegrating into a lost season for the Philadelphia Eagles, they will be without quarterback Jalen Hurts for Sunday's Week 6 game against the Carolina Panthers.

Hurts has what the team described as a "superficial blood clot" in his calf area, which presumably developed after he was cleated in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field on Oct. 4. Hurts was treated for the issue after reporting it a few days later but was cleared to play in London on Oct. 11, a game the Eagles dramatically dropped to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

According to the team, a follow-up ultrasound "revealed movement in the small blood clot," which led the Eagles to shut Hurts down for the immediate future, the team saying "(h)is health and safety are our highest priority."

Hurts heads to the sideline with Philadelphia (2-3) currently in the throes of a three-game skid. The Super Bowl 59 MVP has not played especially well himself, struggling to adapt to new coordinator Sean Mannion's offense while also trying to overcome the rash of injuries and aversity the team was already experiencing. Hurts' 84.7 passer rating and 57.8% completion rate are currently the worst of his NFL career since he became Philly's full-time starter in 2021. And whether by design or not, his 21.4 rushing yards per game are also a career worst. Hurts, who ran for double-digit touchdowns in every season between 2021 and '24 and had eight last year, only has only in 2026.

As for the problems around Hurts, they've been multiple. Longtime Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson abruptly retired on Oct. 6, citing concerns about his own mental health. A day later, the Eagles traded former Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens. Left guard Landon Dickerson has been on injured reserve with a bone bruise in his knee, missing every game but one.

And it's not just the offensive line.

Philadelphia listed 24 players, essentially half the roster, on Wednesday's injury report. Neither star running back Saquon Barkley nor top receiver DeVonta Smith, who are both dealing with hamstring injuries and didn't play in London last weekend, practiced yesterday.

Wednesday’s Injury Report#CARvsPHIpic.twitter.com/sLHJwazLqR

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 14, 2026

Tight end Dallas Goedert missed two games before returning to the lineup for the loss to Jacksonville after suffering an MCL sprain in his right knee in Week 2.

Who will start in Jalen Hurts' place?

Hurts' injury and pending absence come at a time when Philadelphia's QB depth chart is in some manner of flux.

Veteran backup Andy Dalton, who threw a killer interception in the team's loss at Chicago on Sept. 28 − he was in when Hurts missed a few plays after taking a hit near the sideline − was released Oct. 9.

Tanner McKee, now in his fourth season, is expected to start in Hurts' place. McKee has only played in six regular-season games but has generally played well. He has a 1-1 record in two starts, both inconsequential Week 18 games, but has an overall career passer rating of 95.7.

Rookie Cole Payton, a southpaw who was drafted in the fifth round this year out of North Dakota State, is also on the active roster but has yet to take an offensive snap.

What is a superficial blood clot?

The Mayo Clinic defines Hurts' injury, also known as "thrombophlebitis" as "an inflammatory process that causes a blood clot to form and block one or more veins, usually in the legs. The affected vein might be near the surface of the skin (superficial thrombophlebitis) or deep within a muscle (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT).

"Causes of thrombophlebitis include trauma, surgery or prolonged inactivity. ... Superficial thrombophlebitis is sometimes treated with blood-thinning medications, too."

Symptoms include tenderness and pain in the injured area, perhaps with redness and swelling. The condition can often be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Eagles' statement on Jalen Hurts' health

The Eagles provided detail reasons for Hurts' absence in a statement, which read:

“On Thursday, October 8th, Jalen visited the training room after practice requesting treatment for his calf. He informed the medical staff he had been cleated during the Rams game on October 4th. This was his first treatment session for the calf injury following the game, after having practiced in full both Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, Jalen received treatment, practiced in full, and was added to the practice report.

“Out of an abundance of caution, an ultrasound was performed on Saturday following the team’s flight to London and walkthrough. The ultrasound revealed a superficial blood clot. Our medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the results and concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play. Doctors recommended a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours of the game and the return flight to Philadelphia. 

pic.twitter.com/9SeK1XzYRL

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 15, 2026

“Jalen played without limitation in the game Sunday, received treatment on Monday and Tuesday, and practiced in full on Wednesday, as reflected in the practice report. Throughout our time in London and this week, we have remained in communication with the league office regarding the matter.

"On Wednesday night, a follow-up ultrasound revealed movement in the small blood clot. Jalen will be out for Sunday’s game vs. the Panthers as we determine the appropriate course of treatment. His health and safety are our highest priority.”

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jalen Hurts' blood clot complicates already devolving Eagles' season