PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles placed starting quarterback Jalen Hurts on injured reserve Saturday following extensive medical evaluations of a blood clot in his lower leg, sidelining the franchise star indefinitely.
The roster move, first reported by ESPN and confirmed by league insiders, marks a sudden reversal in course for the franchise. Team officials had previously indicated they would keep Hurts on the active 53-man roster while determining his prognosis, but consultations with multiple medical specialists on Saturday morning led the organization to prioritize his long-term recovery.
How the injury unfolded
Hurts first reported calf soreness to Philadelphia trainers on Oct. 8, explaining that he had been stepped on with cleats four days earlier during an Oct. 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. After the team traveled across the Atlantic, an ultrasound conducted on Oct. 10 in London revealed what doctors diagnosed as a superficial blood clot.
At the time, medical specialists determined that maintaining activity would aid circulation, clearing the quarterback to start against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 11. Hurts completed the game without reported physical restrictions, underwent standard therapy early in the week and participated fully in practice on Wednesday, according to team statements.
However, routine follow-up testing late Wednesday evening raised new alarms. A second ultrasound showed that the clot had shifted, prompting the medical staff to immediately pull Hurts from football activities and rule him out for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.
“His health and safety are our highest priority,” the Eagles said in a statement released earlier in the week regarding the situation.
The team continues to treat the issue to ensure the condition does not worsen into deep vein thrombosis, an outcome that would risk benching the quarterback for several months and present serious health hazards.
McKee steps in under center
Under league guidelines, Hurts must sit out a minimum of four contests now that he is on injured reserve. His absence delivers a sharp blow to an Eagles squad holding a 2-3 record and attempting to recover from a narrow loss in London.
Backup quarterback Tanner McKee will take over as the starter on Sunday against Carolina. McKee, a 2023 draft choice who has appeared in six NFL games throughout his career, will be supported in the quarterback room by Cole Payton and recently added passer Joe Milton III. The Eagles signed Milton off the practice squad of the rival Dallas Cowboys earlier in the week, automatically securing him a spot on Philadelphia’s active roster.
The Eagles host the Panthers on Sunday afternoon before turning around to prepare for a Week 7 divisional showdown against Dallas. Philadelphia officials have not publicly established a timetable for when Hurts might resume football activities, leaving his return date dependent on future scans and specialist evaluations.
