Jalen Hurts Sidelined Indefinitely; Eagles Opt Against Injured Reserve for Now

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers due to a superficial blood clot.

The Philadelphia Eagles will not place quarterback Jalen Hurts on injured reserve despite a superficial blood clot that has sidelined him indefinitely, sources told ESPN. An injured reserve designation would require Hurts to miss a minimum of four weeks, a move the team has not yet discussed. The quarterback is currently seeking additional medical opinions to determine a treatment plan for the clot, which the organization believes is treatable.

Tanner McKee is set to start against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, with rookie Cole Payton serving as the primary backup. To further bolster the depth chart, Philadelphia signed quarterback Joe Milton off the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad. Per NFL regulations, Milton must remain on the Eagles' active roster for at least three weeks.

Medical experts around the league suggest a recovery timeline could span six weeks if moderate doses of anticoagulants are required. While minor clots may be treated with anti-inflammatories, the team noted Hurts' clot has moved, a situation often requiring blood thinners. Players are prohibited from playing while taking such medication. If the condition worsens, a three-month course of treatment may be necessary.

This medical development follows a series of roster disruptions for Philadelphia, including the retirement of Lane Johnson and the trade of Cam Jurgens. Running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver DeVonta Smith are both dealing with hamstring injuries. While Barkley is ruled out for the upcoming game against Carolina, the team considers his return for the following week to be a realistic possibility.