Reports from NFL insiders indicated that Hurts would not be placed on injured reserve, even as he remains sidelined indefinitely. The Eagles believe the clot is treatable, and Hurts is weighing the best course of action for treatment.
Why the Eagles are avoiding injured reserve
A move to short-term injured reserve would have ruled Hurts out through Week 9, making his earliest possible return in Week 11. By staying on the active roster, the team preserves the possibility that he could play against the Cowboys on Oct. 26 or during the trip to Washington on Nov. 1.
The medical outlook remains uncertain. A player cannot play while on blood thinners, and if the clot worsens, about three months of blood thinner treatment would be the next step. Medical professionals around the league who have not examined Hurts have suggested the clot could cost him several weeks, though some within the organization view the timeline as week-to-week.
The clot first appeared on an ultrasound in London before the Eagles’ Week 5 game in London, and team doctors later concluded that Hurts could safely play. He completed 21 of 40 passes for 220 yards in the 19-17 loss, and a follow-up ultrasound showed the clot had moved.
Tanner McKee steps in as the starter
Tanner McKee, a 2023 sixth-round pick from Stanford, will make his third career start as the Panthers visit Philadelphia. He Sports a 1-1 record as a starter, with both appearances coming in Week 18. The Eagles currently sit at 2-3, entering after a three-game losing streak.
Philadelphia also added Joe Milton III to the quarterback room off the Cowboys’ practice squad. The big-armed former Tennessee quarterback joins McKee and a rookie in the room as Hurts’ status remains unclear.
Head coach Nick Sirianni did not provide a timeline for Hurts on Friday. “Jalen’s health is of utmost importance to all of us in the building,” Sirianni said, emphasizing the organization’s care for Hurts.
Hurts has 933 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions through five games. McKee will lead an offense that produced 17 points in London.
In this evolving situation, the team continues to prioritize Hurts’ health while navigating the on-field implications for the offense.
