Rams may have inadvertently derailed Jalen Hurts’ season
The Philadelphia Eagles have ruled out quarterback Jalen Hurts for their Week 6 game against the Carolina Panthers due to a blood clot, and the most surprising part is when it happened. Hurts was apparently first injured in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams and the issue has worsened since then, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Hurts will miss at least one game, but some are concerned that the issue could cause him to miss the rest of the season and it would have all started with an inadvertent cleat to his calf against the Rams.
Breaking: #Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is out for Sunday due to a superficial blood clot.
- Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 15, 2026
Full statement from the #Eagles on QB Jalen Hurts:
On Thursday, October 8th, Jalen visited the training room after practice requesting treatment for his calf. He informed the medical staff he... pic.twitter.com/16hVutehsp
Rapoport reports that Hurts first felt the pain on October 4th against the Rams, a 24-20 win for Los Angeles:
On Thursday, October 8th, Jalen visited the training room after practice requesting treatment for his calf. He informed the medical staff he had been cleated during the Rams game on October 4th. This was his first treatment session for the calf injury following the game, after having practiced in full both Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, Jalen received treatment, practiced in full, and was added to the practice report."
While Hurts is out, the Eagles will turn to backup quarterback Tanner McKee. Philadelphia has lost three games in a row and Hurts has played poorly for the majority of the season. Whether or not that dip in performance is related to injury can't be known, but trading A.J. Brown to the Patriots couldn't have helped the passing game.
Some fear that Hurts' injury will derail his entire season. The Rams know the feeling because A.J. Jackson has missed games throughout his career due to clots.
Once the blood clot moves, it becomes a more serious and dangerous matter. And that is what has happened with Jalen Hurts. https://t.co/8bGJMnhtls
- John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 15, 2026
Twitter doctor Jesse Morse says it all depends on how the clot is treated based on what needs to happen for Hurts' health.
Additional information:
- Jesse Morse, M.D. (@DrJesseMorse) October 15, 2026
1. If he undergoes a small surgery to remove the clot (if applicable):
The incision heals in about 7-10 days.
He could miss 1-2 games
2. If the SVT >=5 cm, or within about 3 cm of the saphenopopliteal junction:
Start standard treatment is about 45...
At 2-3, the Eagles are certainly in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and only the second time since 2017. Both receiver DaVonta Smith and running back Saquon Barkley missed practice on Thursday due to injury.
Injuries happen in football all the time. This one just wasn't apparent right away when it happened against the Rams and has turned into something far more severe.