Jalen Hurts out indefinitely after blood clot diagnosis, placed on injured reserve

The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback will miss at least four games as doctors determine the best course of treatment for a clot in his left calf.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will miss at least four games after being placed on injured reserve Saturday, Oct. 17, following a diagnosis of a superficial blood clot in his left calf.

The team has not announced when Hurts will return, saying his medical team is still determining the appropriate course of treatment. The move comes as Philadelphia tries to turn around a season that has already included three consecutive losses.

The Eagles first disclosed Hurts’ diagnosis Thursday, explaining that the injury began when a cleat hit him during the team’s Oct. 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Hurts sought treatment after practice on Oct. 8. He practiced in full the following day before the team traveled to London to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. An ultrasound conducted after the team arrived in London on Oct. 10 revealed the blood clot.

After consulting with doctors, the Eagles determined that Hurts could safely play against Jacksonville. Medical staff recommended a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours of the game.

Hurts played in Philadelphia’s 19-17 loss to Jacksonville on Oct. 11, completing 21 of 40 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown. He also received treatment in the days following the game and practiced in full Wednesday, Oct. 14.

But a follow-up ultrasound Wednesday night revealed movement in the clot. The Eagles subsequently ruled Hurts out of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers while they evaluated the next steps for his treatment.

“His health and safety are our highest priority,” the team said in its statement.

A superficial blood clot forms in a vein near the surface of the skin. Although it differs from a clot in a deeper vein, its location and movement can influence medical decisions. The Eagles have not publicly detailed Hurts’ treatment plan, and has not provided a timeline for his return to football.

Hurts’ placement on injured reserve means he must miss at least four games. Philadelphia’s upcoming schedule includes matchups against the Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders, and New York Giants, followed by a bye week.

The earliest Hurts could return is Nov. 22, when the Eagles are scheduled to play the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, that date is not a confirmed return target. His availability will depend on his recovery and medical clearance.

The absence of their starting quarterback presents another challenge for the Eagles, who entered the weekend with a 2-3 record. Through five games, Hurts had thrown for 933 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Backup quarterback Tanner McKee is expected to start in Hurts’ place against Carolina. Philadelphia has also added quarterback Joe Milton from the Cowboys’ practice squad as the team adjusts to the loss of its starter.

Hurts, 28, has established himself as one of the NFL’s leading quarterbacks since entering the league in 2020. He led Philadelphia to a Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2025 and earned the game’s Most Valuable Player award.

For the Eagles, the immediate focus is on navigating the next several weeks without their starting quarterback. For Hurts, the priority is addressing the blood clot and determining when it will be safe to return.

Neither the team nor its medical staff has announced a definitive timetable for that return.