Jalen Hurts Out Against Panthers After Blood Clot Moves, Eagles Say

The Philadelphia Eagles will face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, October 18, without Jalen Hurts. The team ruled its starting quarterback out on Thursday, October 15, after a follow-up ultrasound showed movement in a superficial blood clot in his calf.

The Eagles set out the full medical timeline in a statement on Thursday. Hurts first asked for treatment on his calf after practice on Thursday, October 8. He told the medical staff he had been cleated during the game against the Los Angeles Rams on October 4. It was his first treatment for the injury. He had practiced in full that Wednesday and Thursday, took treatment again on Friday and practiced in full, and was added to the practice report.

Cleared in London, stopped in Philadelphia

Out of caution, doctors ran an ultrasound on Saturday, October 10, after the team flew to London and held its walkthrough. The scan found a superficial blood clot. Team doctors and doctors in London reviewed the results and decided Hurts could safely play, with activity and mobility seen as important. They recommended a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours of the game and the return flight to Philadelphia.

Hurts played without limitation against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Sunday, October 11, and the Eagles won 19-17. He completed 21 of 40 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown. He took treatment on Monday and Tuesday and practiced in full on Wednesday, October 14. The team said it stayed in contact with the league office throughout.

On Wednesday night, the follow-up ultrasound showed movement in the small clot. That changed the call. The Eagles said Hurts will miss Sunday's game while the team decides the right course of treatment, adding: "His health and safety are our highest priority."

A superficial clot forms in a vein under the skin. The Cleveland Clinic description carried in the coverage says the condition brings inflammation, pain, redness and swelling, and is usually treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. The word superficial can mislead. A clot that starts to move is a clot doctors stop and reassess, and that is what Philadelphia has done.

No return date yet

The Eagles gave no timetable beyond Sunday. National reports suggest the absence could run longer than one game, but the club has set no date and named no treatment. What happens next depends on the treatment the doctors choose and on the next scans.

McKee steps in for a 2-3 team

Tanner McKee is in line to start against Carolina, with Cole Payton expected to back him up. McKee, a sixth round pick in 2023, has started twice in his career and gone 1-1. He has thrown for 597 yards with five touchdowns and one interception.

The timing is rough for Philadelphia. The Eagles are 2-3 and trying to end a three game losing streak. The offense around McKee may be thin too: running backs Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley are already out, and Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith face doubts for another week, according to Touchdown Wire. Kickoff is Sunday in Philadelphia, and the Eagles now play it with their season in the balance and their most important player watching.