Jalen Hurts Will Miss Rest of Eagles Season With Blood Clots in His Lungs/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the remainder of the season because of blood clots in his lungs, a person familiar with the situation told AP. Philadelphia and his agent said he is clinically stable, expected to recover fully and unable to participate in football activities while taking blood thinners. Tanner McKee has taken over for the struggling Eagles, who fell to 2-4 after their fourth consecutive loss.
Quick Look
- Expected season-long absence: An AP source said Hurts is likely to miss the rest of the season.
- Diagnosis disclosed: The Eagles and agent Nicole Lynn announced deep vein thrombosis and blood clots affecting both lungs.
- Recovery outlook: Their statement said Hurts is stable and expected to make a full recovery.
- Football restrictions: He cannot participate in football activities until he is off blood thinners.
- Backup takes over: McKee threw for 215 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s loss to Carolina.
- Questions remain: Coach Nick Sirianni deferred questions about medical decisions to the team’s specialists and previous statements.
Deep Look
Jalen Hurts Expected to Miss Remainder of Season
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the season because of blood clots in his lungs, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
The person spoke anonymously because of the sensitivity of Hurts’ medical condition.
The Eagles placed Hurts on injured reserve Saturday, two days after announcing a blood clot in his calf. He missed Sunday’s game against Carolina, the first of at least four games required by his injured reserve placement.
The expectation that he will miss the entire remaining season came from AP’s source rather than a timetable announced by the team.
Eagles and Agent Release Diagnosis and Recovery Outlook
The Eagles and Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn, provided additional information Monday, saying the quarterback has deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, involving blood clots that traveled from his legs to his lungs.
His treatment includes blood thinners. He will not be permitted to take part in football activities until he is no longer taking them.
The team and Lynn said they expect a full recovery.
“He is clinically stable and has no significant functional limitations,” their statement said.
Sirianni Defers Medical Questions to Specialists
Nick Sirianni was the only Eagles representative made available to reporters Monday. General manager Howie Roseman and members of the medical staff did not appear.
The coach largely declined to address specific questions about Hurts’ condition or the organization’s handling of it.
“I’m not a medical expert,” Sirianni said. “I lean on our guys in all those situations. I’m a football coach. I lean on our medical experts in every situation. I have full trust and full faith in them. It’s not just me that has major care for our players. It’s them, as well.”
Team Outlines Timeline of Calf Injury
The Eagles previously said Hurts took a cleat to his calf during their Oct. 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
He reported the injury to medical staff after practice Oct. 8 and returned to practice the following day before the team traveled to London to face Jacksonville.
Specialists in London initially diagnosed a superficial vein thrombosis in his left calf.
Sirianni declined Monday to explain why Hurts was cleared to fly home with a blood clot, referring reporters to statements issued by the team and Lynn about the injury and treatment timeline.
“I understand you want this information on this,” he said. “I fully trust the people that are involved in helping us all make these decisions. We have great people here.”
Tanner McKee Takes Over During Eagles’ Losing Streak
McKee started against the Panthers in Hurts’ absence, completing 26 of 45 passes for 215 yards and one touchdown.
Philadelphia lost 25-14, falling to 2-4 with its fourth consecutive defeat. The Eagles had not lost four straight games since 2020.
Sirianni said Monday that offensive coordinator Sean Mannion would remain the team’s play-caller.
Hurts has thrown for 933 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions this season.
Extended Absence Interrupts Hurts’ Durable Run
Since becoming Philadelphia’s full-time starter in 2021, Hurts had not missed more than two games in a season.
He has led the Eagles to five consecutive playoff appearances, three NFC East championships and two Super Bowl appearances.
He earned Super Bowl 59 MVP honors when Philadelphia defeated Kansas City 40-22.
Hurts is playing under a five-year, $255 million extension that includes $179.3 million guaranteed and runs through the 2028 season.
Sirianni Expresses Confidence in McKee
Philadelphia selected Hurts in the second round of the 2020 draft out of Oklahoma, surprising fans who expected the team to address other needs with Carson Wentz established at quarterback.
Hurts eventually replaced Wentz and developed into one of the league’s leading quarterbacks.
Sirianni said the extended separation would be unfamiliar, even as he expressed confidence in McKee.
“I haven’t been without Jalen for an extended period of time,” he said. “I have the utmost confidence in Tanner. But I miss him. I know that will be the case. Jalen and I have been together, head coach and quarterback, for six years.”
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