Eagles Won't Place Hurts on IR Amid Blood Clot — SkimNews
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Jalen Hurts is sidelined indefinitely with a superficial blood clot, but the Eagles have not discussed placing him on injured reserve, which would require a minimum four-week absence.
- The Eagles are gathering additional medical opinions and believe the blood clot is treatable, with Hurts' health the "foremost consideration"; the medical team will ultimately decide when he returns.
- Anticoagulants typically prohibit playing, with a moderate-dose regimen lasting roughly six weeks; a worsened clot could require three months of blood thinners.
- Tanner McKee will start at quarterback against the Panthers on Sunday, with rookie Cole Payton promoted to backup and Joe Milton signed off Dallas' practice squad (subject to a three-week roster rule).
- The Eagles' roster has taken multiple hits in a chaotic stretch, including the retirement of offensive tackle Lane Johnson, the trade of center Cam Jurgens, and hamstring injuries to Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith.
- Two team doctors texted ESPN estimating Hurts could miss roughly six weeks, depending on clot size and hematology evaluation.
Why it matters: The Eagles are absorbing simultaneous blows to their offensive core — Hurts' uncertain timeline plus injuries to Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith — forcing Philadelphia to start a backup quarterback on Sunday. Holding off on IR preserves roster flexibility if Hurts returns in under four weeks, but two NFL doctors' six-week estimates make that window unlikely.
Ask SkimNews
