The Philadelphia Eagles will not reinstate quarterback Jalen Hurts this season until doctors confirm the blood clot discovered in his calf has completely dissolved, according to a report from Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer.
Hurts was placed on injured reserve, a move that sidelines him for a minimum of four games and could keep him out of the lineup indefinitely as the team prioritizes his health over a quick return to the field.
Glazer, speaking on “FOX NFL Sunday,” said the clot’s behavior had changed in a way that forced the Eagles’ hand.
“At first, the blood clot was superficial; it wasn’t moving around,” Glazer said. “But once it changed and that blood clot started moving, you do not mess around with a moving blood clot. That could be a life-or-death situation.”
Glazer said that earlier, more stable diagnosis is why Hurts was able to play in the Eagles’ recent game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
“The only way really for Jalen Hurts to come back — if he can come back this season — is that blood clot needs to be completely melted,” Glazer said. “They have to have several different scans to make sure it’s completely gone. Because if it’s not, and if it floats up to the wrong areas, it’d be very, very dangerous.”
David Chao, who spent 17 years as team doctor for the then-San Diego Chargers, told OutKick the type of clot matters a great deal in determining how long Hurts could be out.
“Do they mean movement as in it’s propagating and it’s now a bigger superficial blood clot? Or is it movement meaning it’s deeper and it’s a deep vein clot?” Chao said. “If he has a deep vein clot, he’s out for multiple weeks, at least.”
With Hurts sidelined, backup Tanner McKee made his first start of the season Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. The Eagles lost, 25-14, despite McKee throwing for 215 yards and a touchdown to DeVonta Smith.
Philadelphia will be without its starting quarterback for at least three more games, all against NFC East rivals: a Monday night matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, a Sunday night game against the Washington Commanders, and a contest against the New York Giants.
The quarterback injury adds to a rough stretch for the Eagles this season. Running back Saquon Barkley missed Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury, running backs Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley are also banged up, and offensive lineman Lane Johnson announced his retirement in the middle of the season.
