A serious diagnosis of blood clots in his lungs will keep Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts off the field for the remainder of the 2026 season, the team announced Monday.
The 28-year-old passer was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis along with bilateral pulmonary emboli, according to a joint statement from the team and his agent, Nicole Lynn. Although Hurts remains “clinically stable” without significant functional restrictions, the medical situation requires him to begin an extensive regimen of anticoagulants. Medical standards and league protocols prohibit athletes from participating in contact drills or games while on blood-thinning medication.
Eagles officials emphasized that his long-term outlook is positive, indicating that specialists anticipate a full recovery without lasting physical damage. While Hurts cannot take hits or play in games, he plans to stay connected with the roster and maintain light physical training while managing his condition.
Progression from London trip
The severe diagnosis capped a rapidly escalating health issue that originated earlier this month. Hurts sustained an initial calf injury during a Week 4 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams after being stepped on by a defender, The Sporting News reported. Despite discomfort, he traveled overseas with the Eagles for their Oct. 11 international game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
While in England, Hurts underwent an ultrasound examination that revealed a superficial blood clot in his left calf. Independent specialists and team physicians concluded that remaining active was safe, allowing Hurts to start against Jacksonville. He played the entire contest in a 19-17 defeat, but subsequent imaging conducted after returning to the United States showed the clot had advanced upward into deeper veins.
The team initially ruled Hurts out for Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers before placing him on injured reserve Saturday. Additional clinical screenings over the weekend revealed that multiple clots had reached both lungs, an escalation first reported by ESPN and NFL Network.
Team outlook and McKee stepping in
Hurts’ medical absence delivers a major blow to an Eagles squad already wrestling with early-season turmoil. Philadelphia fell 25-14 to Carolina on Sunday, extending the team’s losing skid to four straight games and dropping its record to 2-4. Backup quarterback Tanner McKee drew the start against the Panthers, finishing 26 of 45 for 215 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers.
Hurts, who signed a five-year, $255 million contract extension in 2023, had posted 933 passing yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions through five appearances this year. Since securing the permanent starting role in 2021, he had rarely missed game time, guiding Philadelphia to five straight playoff berths, three NFC East crowns and two trips to the Super Bowl, including a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs two years ago.
His blood-thinner therapy is expected to continue for at least three months, TV Insider reported. What remains uncertain is precisely when Hurts will receive final medical clearance to resume full-contact football, though both the franchise and his agent voiced confidence that he will return to the field once the medication cycle concludes.
