The Philadelphia Eagles have decided to place Jalen Hurts on injured reserve after consultations with numerous doctors and experts that continued into Saturday, sources told ESPN and NFL Network.
The move will sideline the star quarterback indefinitely, according to sources. The Eagles, who officially announced the move Saturday afternoon, were waiting to make a roster decision until after consulting with medical experts, according to sources.
Ever since Hurts started dealing with the superficial blood clot in his calf, the Eagles have been attempting to explore every option and gather as much information as possible. Hurts has met with doctors and had others review his blood clot and weigh in with their knowledge.
At some time over the last 24 hours, additional information surfaced that made Philadelphia believe the wisest course of action was to place Hurts on IR, giving him the time he needs to heal.
The Eagles maintained all along that they weren’t going to rush into any decisions about Hurts’ future, which is why they waited until Thursday to rule out the three-time Pro Bowler for Sunday’s home game against the Carolina Panthers.
Hurts now will miss games against the Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders and New York Giants before the Eagles have their bye in Week 10 with a chance to fully evaluate their quarterback’s health and their team’s outlook.
Philadelphia believes the blood clot is treatable, and the ultimate decision about when Hurts returns to play will come from his medical team, with the Eagles ready to follow his lead.
In most cases, blood clots are treated with anticoagulants, otherwise known as blood thinners. A player cannot play while on blood thinners.
In general, the minimum time frame for a moderate dose of anticoagulants is six weeks, sources said. There is a possibility, if the clot is minor enough, that doctors begin with anti-inflammatories only, while continuing to monitor. If the clot were to move, as the team said happened in Hurts’ case, blood thinners are often the answer. If the clot were to worsen, blood thinners for roughly three months would be the next course of action.
Some doctors around the NFL who have not examined Hurts believe the blood clot could sideline him several weeks. One team’s doctor texted ESPN: “It is a broad range and nuance based on size and location and hematology evaluation, but could be six weeks.” Another team’s doctor had a similar estimation.
The Eagles released a lengthy statement Thursday detailing the process that led to the discovery of the blood clot and to Hurts being ruled out for Sunday’s home game against the Panthers.
While Hurts has been receiving treatment, the Eagles have been working to fortify their roster. Backup quarterback Tanner McKee will start against the Panthers, and rookie Cole Payton was promoted to backup. Philadelphia also signed quarterback Joe Milton off Dallas’ practice squad. By NFL rules, Milton must be on the Eagles’ roster for three weeks.
This is just the latest sequence in what has been a chaotic stretch for the organization that has included hamstring injuries to running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver DeVonta Smith, the retirement of future Hall of Fame offensive tackle Lane Johnson, and the trade of Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens.
The Eagles believe Barkley returning next week is realistic, but he has been ruled out for this Sunday’s game.
Amid the injuries and turnover on their offensive line, Eagles have gotten off to a rough start offensively this season. They enter Sunday in the bottom five in the NFL in points per game (18.4, 29th), total yards per game (262.2, 31st), yards per play (4.5, 30th), and passing yards per game (170.6, 28th).
The Eagles have failed to score 25 points in seven consecutive regular-season games, their longest such streak since Nick Sirianni became their head coach before the 2021 season. Philadelphia has gone three and out on 38% of its possessions, the highest in the NFL this season.
The Eagles’ offense has struggled to stay on the field, specifically in the second half, going three and out on 52% of possessions, which is on pace to be the highest by any NFL team in the last 20 seasons. Philadelphia has been outgained by a league-leading 115 yards per game in the second half this season; the next worst in that category is the Indianapolis Colts, who have been outgained by 38 yards per game in the second half.
