The Philadelphia Eagles have ruled Jalen Hurts out indefinitely with a blood clot. The quarterback recently discovered movement in a blood clot in his leg, and the team has ruled him out of Sunday’s Week 6 game against the Panthers while doctors determine the right course of treatment. The news has affected Philadelphia’s playoff outlook, as Pennsylvania sports betting apps have lowered the Eagles’ chances now that their star quarterback is expected to miss time.
The Possible Source of the Blood Clot
The issue traces back to Week 4, when Hurts was cleated in the calf during a loss to the Rams on Oct. 4. He first asked for treatment on Thursday, Oct. 8. A precautionary ultrasound in London on Oct. 10 revealed a superficial blood clot. Doctors cleared him to play against the Jaguars. A follow-up ultrasound on Wednesday showed the clot moving, prompting Thursday’s announcement. It's hard to say whether it could have been caught sooner, since Hurts practiced fully and didn't seek treatment right away. A superficial clot forms in a vein near the skin's surface and is generally less dangerous than a deep vein clot, but the movement is why the team is taking no chances.
There is no official timetable. Temple sports medicine physician Dr. Ryan Schreiter estimated a recovery of 45 days to three months, though the Eagles have not offered a timeline of their own. Tanner McKee is expected to step in, with rookie Cole Payton also on the roster after the team released Andy Dalton last week. The Eagles are already shorthanded, with Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith nursing hamstring injuries and Dallas Goedert and Landon Dickerson having missed time. The one bit of good fortune is an NFC East that hasn't been good this season, giving Philadelphia some breathing room.
What's Next for Hurts?
Pennsylvania sports betting apps will be worth watching closely in the coming weeks, as odds are likely to move with every medical update. Expect the Eagles’ futures to stay volatile until Hurts has a clear return date. Treatment often involves blood thinners, which can keep players out of contact sports, so his comeback will depend on how the clot responds. Other athletes have faced the same issue. A blood clot in his shoulder sidelined San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama; Phillies ace Zack Wheeler underwent a procedure to remove one near his shoulder, and Chris Bosh’s career ended in 2015 after recurring clots. Many athletes return, but Hurts’ health will come before any timeline.
