Eagles' Jalen Hurts expected to miss rest of season after clots found in lungs

Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the 2026 season after imaging found that the blood clot first spotted in his left calf had progressed into clots in both of his lungs, according to multiple national reports Monday. The Eagles and Hurts' agent, Nicole Lynn, did not put a timeline on his return in a joint statement, but they made clear that the diagnosis has changed in a meaningful way.

The statement lists the current diagnosis as a deep vein thrombosis together with bilateral pulmonary emboli, meaning clot material has reached arteries in both lungs. That is a step beyond the left calf superficial vein thrombosis specialists found in London before Week 5. Hurts is being treated with anticoagulation medication, and he cannot take part in contact football, including games, while he is on blood thinners. The team and Lynn described him as "clinically stable and has no significant functional limitations," and they said he will stay around the team and keep conditioning. "Jalen's prognosis is very good, and we expect a full recovery," the statement said, adding that no long-term effects are anticipated.

Multiple reporters have reported an estimated three-month treatment window if not longer, effectively meaning Hurts would be out for the season.

Per the Eagles' account from last week, Hurts sought treatment for the calf on Oct. 8. An ultrasound in London on Oct. 10 found the clot, and doctors cleared him to play. He started the 19-17 loss to Jacksonville on Oct. 11, going 21 of 40 for 220 yards and a touchdown. Rapoport reported that Hurts was in a London hospital until 4 a.m. the morning of that game and did not sleep, because he was told sleeping carried risk. A follow-up ultrasound after practice on Wednesday, Oct. 14, showed the clot had moved. Philadelphia ruled him out against Carolina the next day and placed him on injured reserve Saturday.

That makes Tanner McKee the starter for the foreseeable future. In his first start Sunday, McKee went 26 of 45 for 215 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions, and he was sacked three times in a 25-14 home loss to Carolina that dropped Philadelphia to 2-4. Rookie Cole Payton is the backup. Joe Milton, signed off Dallas' practice squad last week, must stay on the 53-man roster for three weeks under league rules. One veteran option is now gone: Andy Dalton who turned down a return to Philadelphia, is signing with Atlanta.

McKee is also inheriting a depleted offense. Saquon Barkley sat out Sunday with a hamstring injury, Lane Johnson has retired and the Eagles traded center Cam Jurgens to Baltimore. Before Sunday, Philadelphia ranked 29th in scoring at 18.4 points per game and 31st in total yards. Hurts had thrown for 933 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions in five starts, completing 57.8 percent of his passes.

Dallas visits Lincoln Financial Field for Monday Night Football on Oct. 26 at 5:15 p.m. PT. The Eagles then play at Washington on Nov. 1 and host the Giants on Nov. 8 before their Week 10 bye, a natural checkpoint.

Several questions remain open. Many are questioning the team and league about how this was all handled. The Eagles have not formally said Hurts is done for the year, and his return depends on when doctors take him off anticoagulants. It is also unclear whether the team will add another veteran quarterback before the trade deadline, or if they will continue with McKee. Payton and Milton. Hurts is under contract through 2028, so the long-term picture is about his health, not his status as the franchise quarterback.