Eagles' Jalen Hurts out vs. Panthers with blood clot; McKee to start
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will miss Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers because of a blood clot in his calf, the team said Thursday. A follow-up ultrasound Wednesday night "revealed movement in the small blood clot," the Eagles said. Tanner McKee will start in his place, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will miss Sunday's home game against the Carolina Panthers because of a superficial blood clot in his calf, the team said in a statement Thursday. Tanner McKee will start in his place, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
According to the statement, Hurts asked for treatment on his calf after practice on Oct. 8. He told the medical staff he had been cleated during the Oct. 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams. An ultrasound on Saturday, after the team flew to London, "revealed a superficial blood clot," the team said.
"Our medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the results and concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play," the statement said. Doctors recommended a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours of the game, it said.
Hurts "played without limitation" in Sunday's game, the team said. He completed 21 of 40 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown in a 19-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the AP reported.
"On Wednesday night, a follow-up ultrasound revealed movement in the small blood clot," the statement said. "Jalen will be out for Sunday's game vs. the Panthers as we determine the appropriate course of treatment. His health and safety are our highest priority." The team said it had stayed in contact with the league office. There was no timetable for his return, the AP and the Inquirer reported.
On Wednesday, Hurts told reporters it was "a very unique experience, to say the least," the AP reported.
McKee, 26, was a sixth-round pick out of Stanford in 2023, the Inquirer reported. Sunday will be his third career start, and he is 1-1 as a starter. It will be his first regular-season action since he started in Week 18 last season. Rookie Cole Payton is the only other healthy quarterback on the roster, the Inquirer said.
The Eagles won their first two games and have lost three straight, NBC News reported.
What we know: Hurts is out Sunday, and McKee will start.
What we don't: How Hurts' clot will be treated, or when he will return.
Where outlets agree The Inquirer and the AP both report that Hurts will miss Sunday's game with a blood clot and that no return timetable has been set.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.