Eagles QB Jalen Hurts has lung blood clots, expected to miss rest of season
In short
The Philadelphia Eagles said Jalen Hurts has deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli and is on blood thinners, barred from contact activities. The team expects a full recovery. An AP source and other outlets say he will miss the rest of the season, though the team statement did not say so.
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The Philadelphia Eagles announced on Monday that quarterback Jalen Hurts has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, meaning blood clots in both lungs. The team said he is clinically stable and has no significant functional limitations. He is being treated with blood thinners and, during that time, will not be allowed to take part in any contact activities, including football. The statement came from the team and Hurts' agent, Nicole Lynn. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 8 , 13 ]
"Jalen's prognosis is very good, and we expect a full recovery," the statement said. The Eagles said they expect he will be able to resume contact football activities when off the blood thinners, will remain active around the team and continue to condition, and will have no long-term effects. [ 1 , 6 ]
The statement did not specifically say Hurts would miss the rest of the season, Fox News noted. An AP source who spoke on condition of anonymity said he is expected to miss it, and Newsweek cited ESPN's Adam Schefter. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the treatment would take at least three months, and CNN said it requires three months on blood thinners. Rapoport also wrote that the clot was "provoked," caused by Hurts being cleated in the calf. MarketWatch cited research that it can take professional athletes more than six months to return to play after treatment for such clots. [ 6 , 8 , 11 , 13 , 15 , 16 ]
The Eagles said Hurts was cleated in a game against the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 4 and asked for treatment on his calf on Oct. 8 after practice. Specialists in London diagnosed a superficial vein thrombosis in his left calf before the Oct. 11 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team said last week that its medical staff and the doctors in London concluded he could safely play, and that he played without limitation in the 19-17 loss. A follow-up scan in Philadelphia showed the clot had moved, the team said, and he was held out of Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. He was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. [ 1 , 3 , 8 , 13 ]
The Guardian, citing Rapoport, reported that Hurts was at the hospital until 4am and was advised by doctors not to sleep, so he had been awake for about 36 hours at kickoff. Newsweek attributed the same account to Tom Pelissero. CNN said the Eagles left two issues unanswered: why Hurts was allowed to fly across the Atlantic twice, and why he was allowed to play. Coach Nick Sirianni gave no detail at his Monday news conference and said he trusted his medical team. [ 4 , 6 , 15 ]
Tanner McKee started for Hurts against the Panthers and finished 26 of 45 for 215 yards and a touchdown in the 25-14 loss. The Eagles are 2-4 and have lost four consecutive games for the first time since 2020. Hurts, 28, had not missed more than two games in a season since becoming the full-time starter in 2021. [ 4 , 13 ]
Why it matters
The Eagles will go on without their starting quarterback, with Tanner McKee having started the latest game. CNN says the timeline raises questions about why Hurts was allowed to fly and to play, and the coach said he trusted the medical team.
Key facts
- The Eagles announced Monday that Hurts has a deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, meaning blood clots in both lungs. [ 1 , 3 , 13 ]
- The team said Hurts is clinically stable with no significant functional limitations and is being treated with blood thinners, during which he may not take part in contact activities, including football. [ 3 , 6 , 8 , 13 ]
- The Eagles and his agent, Nicole Lynn, said they expect a full recovery with no long-term effects. [ 1 , 6 , 8 , 13 ]
- An AP source said Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the season; Hurts was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. [ 11 , 13 ]
- Tanner McKee started in place of Hurts in the Eagles' 25-14 loss to the Carolina Panthers, which left the team at 2-4. [ 4 , 13 ]
- Hurts played the Oct. 11 game in London, a 19-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, after a superficial clot was diagnosed in his left calf. [ 3 , 8 , 13 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Hurts has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli and is on blood thinners. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 13 ]
- While on blood thinners Hurts may not take part in contact activities, including football. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 8 ]
- The Eagles and Hurts' agent said they expect a full recovery. [ 1 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 13 ]
- Hurts was initially diagnosed in London with a superficial clot in his left calf and played against the Jaguars on Oct. 11. [ 3 , 4 , 8 , 13 ]
- Hurts was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. [ 10 , 13 ]
- Outlets report Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the season. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 8 , 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Hurts will miss the whole season. Fox News said the joint statement did not specifically say he would miss the rest of the season; the claim comes from an AP source anonymous by request and from reporters such as ESPN's Adam Schefter.
- Why Hurts was allowed to fly to London and to play against the Jaguars. CNN said both questions were left unanswered; coach Nick Sirianni gave no detail and said he trusted his medical team.
- How long Hurts will be out. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported about three months of treatment, while MarketWatch cited research that professional athletes can take more than six months to return to play.
- Who reported that Hurts stayed awake for about 36 hours before the Jaguars game. The Guardian attributed the account to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport; Newsweek attributed it to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- ABC News reported the Eagles announced that Hurts has deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli. [ 1 ]
- The Seattle Times ran an AP report that a source said Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the season. [ 11 ]
- ABC News reported that the Eagles coach defended the handling of the diagnosis. [ 14 ]
- CNN reported that Sirianni, at his Monday news conference, repeatedly said he trusted his medical team. [ 15 ]