Eagles Say Jalen Hurts Has Deep Vein Thrombosis and Lung Clots, Expected Out About Three Months

The Eagles first announced a "superficial blood clot" in Jalen Hurts' left calf, and the diagnosis has since grown far more serious. A statement released by the team and Hurts' agent, Nicole Lynn, says further testing found a deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, meaning clots in both lungs.

The statement says Hurts was "initially diagnosed by specialists in London with a left calf superficial vein thrombosis." After further testing and monitoring, "the current diagnosis is a deep vein thrombosis, as well as bilateral pulmonary emboli."

What the Eagles say about his condition

The team says Hurts is "clinically stable and has no significant functional limitations." Treatment should involve only anticoagulation, or blood thinners.

While on them, he cannot take part in any contact activity, football included.

The statement calls his prognosis "very good" and says the team expects a full recovery with no long-term effects. It says he can resume contact football when he is off the blood thinners. Until then he will stay active around the team and keep conditioning.

The statement gives no return date. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Hurts will be out an estimated three months as he undergoes treatment, and the New York Post reports Hurts will be out until mid-January. The Eagles have not published a timeline of their own.

How the timeline unfolded

Hurts was cleated in the Eagles' Week 4 loss to the Rams on Oct. 4. According to the team, he first asked for treatment on his calf on Thursday, Oct. 8, after practicing in full that Wednesday and Thursday. He was added to the practice report the next day as a full participant.

An ultrasound on Saturday, after the team landed in London, showed a superficial clot. The Eagles say their medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the result and "concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play." The doctors recommended a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours of the game and the return flight.

Hurts played without limitation against Jacksonville on Oct. 11, completing 21 of 40 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown in a loss. The team says it stayed in communication with the league office throughout.

A follow-up ultrasound Wednesday night showed movement in the small clot. The Eagles announced Thursday that Hurts would be out for the Carolina game, and they placed him on injured reserve on Saturday.

A season already in trouble

The medical news lands on a team that was struggling before it. Philadelphia is 2-4 after a 25-14 loss to the Panthers on Sunday, its fourth straight defeat.

Tanner McKee, a 2023 sixth-round pick, started in Hurts' place. He went 26 of 45 for 215 yards and one interception. Before this season he had made two starts, both in Week 18 games, and carried a career passer rating of 95.7.

Hurts was not performing at his usual level either. His 84.7 passer rating and 57.8% completion rate were the worst of his career as a full-time starter, and his 21.4 rushing yards per game were a career low. He has been struggling to adapt to a new offense under coordinator Sean Mannion.

The offensive line has been gutted. Right tackle Lane Johnson retired on Oct. 6, citing concerns about his mental health. The Eagles traded center Cam Jurgens to Baltimore the next day, and guard Landon Dickerson is on injured reserve with a knee bone bruise. The team listed 24 players on its injury report. Running back Saquon Barkley and receiver DeVonta Smith, both dealing with hamstring injuries, did not practice.

The quarterback room

Beyond McKee, the Eagles carry rookie Cole Payton on the 53-man roster. They signed Joe Milton from Dallas' practice squad on Friday.

Philadelphia released veteran Andy Dalton earlier this month. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported the Eagles wanted to bring Dalton back and that he politely declined, with plans to sign with another team. The Eagles have not commented on that.

Newsweek notes Philadelphia could make an aggressive move for quarterback help this week, and the Eagles are not out of the race in the weak NFC East. Whether they go outside the building for a quarterback is the next decision for a team whose franchise player is sidelined by a serious but treatable condition.

The team has said only that Hurts can return to contact football once he is off blood thinners. It has not said how long that treatment will last.