Jalen Hurts expected to miss season after blood clots reach lungs

Blood clots that spread from Jalen Hurts’s leg to his lungs are likely to sideline the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback for the remainder of the 2026 season, reports dated October 19 said. The Philadelphia team had placed him on injured reserve after a clot was identified in his calf during its trip to London.¹²³⁴

Diagnosis and treatment

The subsequent diagnosis was deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli. In an update issued by the Eagles and Hurts’s agent, Nicole Lynn, they said: “He is clinically stable and has no significant functional limitations.” Further tests had identified multiple clots in his lungs, according to the Guardian.¹³

Hurts will receive blood thinners and cannot take part in contact activities during that treatment. The Guardian reported that he would continue conditioning and remain involved with the team. The Eagles expect him to recover fully, without lasting effects, and anticipate that he can return to contact football after he stops taking the medication.¹³

Medical checks in London

The Japan Times reported that Hurts first sought treatment for calf soreness on October 8 after being stepped on during a loss to the Los Angeles Rams. According to the Eagles’ account carried by the Guardian, an ultrasound was performed on October 10 after the flight to London and a team walkthrough.¹²

That scan identified a superficial clot. The Guardian reported that Eagles medical personnel and doctors in London considered movement important and concluded that Hurts could play. The same account said doctors advised conducting a second ultrasound no later than 72 hours after the game and return flight to Philadelphia.¹

Against Jacksonville, Hurts attempted 40 passes, connecting on 21 of them for 220 yards and one touchdown. A later ultrasound showed that the clot had moved. NFL.com reported that the Eagles then ruled him out, sought additional medical opinions and placed him on injured reserve.²⁴

McKee takes over

Tanner McKee replaced Hurts against Carolina, completing 26 of 45 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown. The Guardian reported that Philadelphia lost 25-14 and fell to 2-4. The Eagles have now lost four games in succession, their first such run since 2020.¹³

Hurts has recorded 933 passing yards, eight touchdown passes and three interceptions this season. The October 19 reports of his expected season-long absence followed earlier coverage of an injured-reserve placement that would keep him out for at least a month.¹²³⁴