The Philadelphia Eagles and quarterback Jalen Hurts’ agent confirmed Monday that Hurts has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, multiple blood clots in his lungs. His recovery is expected to take three months, effectively ending his 2026 season, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Hurts was placed on injured reserve Saturday, two days before the joint statement from the team and his agent went public. The diagnosis traces back to a cleat injury to his calf area suffered during Philadelphia’s Oct. 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams. Hurts told medical staff about the injury after practice on Oct. 8, and specialists in London initially diagnosed him with a left calf superficial vein thrombosis. A follow-up ultrasound showed movement in that small clot, prompting the Eagles to rule him out for Week 6, per Yahoo Sports.
What The Team And His Agent Said
The joint statement from the Eagles and Hurts’ agent described his current condition as stable. “He is clinically stable and has no significant functional limitations,” the statement said. It added that his treatment plan rules out any physical contact for now: “During this time, he will not be allowed to participate in any contact activities, including football.”
Hurts’ treatment includes anticoagulation medication, commonly known as blood thinners, which prevents him from playing football while he is on it. The statement struck an optimistic tone about his long-term health. “Jalen’s progress is very good, and we expect a full recovery,” it read.
It also addressed what comes after the blood thinners: “We anticipate that he will have the opportunity to resume contact football activities when off the blood thinners. In the meantime, he will remain active around the team and continue to condition. More importantly, we anticipate that he will have no long-term effects.”
No specific return timeline for contact activities was given.
Who Replaces Hurts Under Center
Tanner McKee took over as Philadelphia’s starting quarterback, going 26 of 45 for 215 yards and one touchdown in a 25-14 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 6. The Eagles also signed Joe Milton to bolster their depth at the position.
Hurts’ Season And Career Context
Before the diagnosis, Hurts had thrown for 933 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions. He played through the initial calf clot in Week 5 against Jacksonville in London, throwing for 220 yards and a touchdown in a 19-17 loss. According to the Associated Press, he had not missed more than two games in a season since becoming Philadelphia’s full-time starter in 2021, leading the Eagles to five straight playoff appearances, three NFC East titles and two Super Bowl trips.
He was Super Bowl 59 MVP after beating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 two years ago. Hurts signed a five-year, $255 million extension that includes $179.3 million guaranteed through 2028. The Eagles are 2-4 after four straight losses, their longest losing streak since 2020.
What’s Next
No date has been set for when Hurts will resume contact activities or be cleared to come off blood thinners. McKee will remain Philadelphia’s starter as the Eagles attempt to halt their losing streak.
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