Jalen Hurts will most likely not take another snap in 2026. Further testing found that the blood clot first spotted in the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback’s left calf has spread into both of his lungs. He will be treated with blood thinners and cannot play football or take part in any contact work while he takes them.
The Eagles and Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn, released a joint statement on Monday, October 19. It changed his diagnosis from a superficial vein clot to a deep vein thrombosis with bilateral pulmonary emboli. According to the statement, the 28-year-old is clinically stable, has no significant functional limitations and should make a full recovery with “no long-term effects.” He will stay around the team and keep conditioning while he is treated.
Statement from Jalen Hurts' agent, Nicole Lynn, who says the current diagnosis is a deep vein thrombosis as well as bilateral pulmonary emboli — blood clots that have traveled to an artery in his lungs. https://t.co/tLfvTR5SFi
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 19, 2026
The statement set no return date. It said only that Hurts should be able to resume contact football once he is off the medication. Multiple reports, including Tom Pelissero’s and Ian Rapoport’s, described it as the end of his season. Philadelphia had moved him to injured reserve on Saturday, which already ruled him out for at least four games. Pelissero reported that the lung test results came back that same day and that the club had waited for the complete medical picture before deciding on the reserve list.
How a calf bruise became a season-ending diagnosis
The clot was described as “provoked.” Reports trace it to Hurts being cleated in the calf during the Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He was listed with a calf injury on the club’s Friday report before the London trip, practiced fully and carried no game designation. Specialists in London found the clot the night before the October 11 game against Jacksonville.
Rapoport reported that Hurts stayed in hospital until 4 a.m. and was told not to sleep as a precaution. Pelissero put the time he went without sleep at roughly 36 hours. Hurts started anyway, threw for 220 yards and a touchdown, and the Eagles lost 19-17. He has not played since.
#Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, who is out for the season after several blood clots were revealed in his lungs, has been undergoing tests for days.
Before the London game, Hurts was in the hospital until 4 am and did not sleep because sleep was a risk. He played without having slept. pic.twitter.com/avMUeBBOua
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 19, 2026
Hurts finishes the season with five starts: 933 passing yards, eight touchdown passes and three interceptions on a 57.8 percent completion rate. He is a three-time Pro Bowl pick and the MVP of Super Bowl LIX.
Tanner McKee’s offense now
Tanner McKee is the starter for the foreseeable future. In his first start in place of Hurts, he went 26 of 45 for 215 yards and a touchdown and was sacked three times in the 25-14 home loss to Carolina on Sunday. That defeat dropped Philadelphia to 2-4, its fourth straight loss.
The rest of the roster offers little relief. Saquon Barkley and the two backs behind him missed Sunday, Carson Steele hurt a shoulder against the Panthers, edge rusher Nolan Smith Jr. left with a concussion and defensive tackle Jordan Davis has an ankle injury. Behind McKee are rookie fifth-round pick Cole Payton and Joe Milton, whom the club signed from Dallas’ practice squad.
What comes next
McKee’s next start comes in prime time: the Dallas Cowboys visit Lincoln Financial Field for Monday Night Football, October 26 (8:15 p.m. EDT) (Game Center). Their next game is at Washington on Sunday, November 1. Follow every designation on the NFL injury report.
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