Jalen Hurts placed on injured reserve and his injury looks more serious than the Eagles are saying

Jalen Hurts is on injured reserve with a superficial blood clot in his calf, and the Eagles have not given a timeline for his return.

The Eagles made the move Saturday afternoon after consulting numerous doctors and experts, according to ESPN and NFL Network. Sources say it sidelines him indefinitely. It was also a reversal. ESPN had reported the team had not discussed IR, and Bleeding Green Nation published a story saying the Eagles would not use it. The Eagles placed Hurts on IR seconds later.

What We Know About the Jalen Hurts Blood Clot

Breaking: After consultations with numerous doctors and experts that went into Saturday, the Eagles are placing quarterback Jalen Hurts on injured reserve, sources tell @rapsheet and me. The move will sideline Hurts indefinitely.

More info to come. pic.twitter.com/F95sBKIcbC

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 17, 2026

>> Shop Eagles Gear Here

According to the Eagles’ statement, Hurts was cleated in the Week 4 loss to the Rams and asked the training staff to treat his calf on Oct. 8. After the team flew to London, an ultrasound on Oct. 10 found a superficial blood clot. Doctors determined he could safely play.

Jalen Hurts played against the Jaguars and went 21 of 40 for 220 yards and a touchdown in a loss. A follow-up ultrasound on Wednesday showed movement in the clot. The Eagles ruled him out for Week 6 on Thursday and placed him on IR on Saturday.

ESPN reports that blood thinners are often the treatment when a clot moves, and a player cannot play while on them.

Jalen Hurts’ Short-Term Outlook

Jalen Hurts will miss at least four games. Those are the Panthers, Cowboys, Commanders and Giants, followed by the Week 10 bye.

Tanner McKee starts Sunday against Carolina. Rookie Cole Payton was promoted to backup, and the Eagles signed Joe Milton off the Cowboys’ practice squad. McKee has 597 yards, five touchdowns and one interception in six career appearances and is 1-1 as a starter. He is the quarterback replacing Jalen Hurts for now.

The Eagles are 2-3 and have lost three straight. The offense averages 18.4 points per game, 29th in the NFL, and has failed to score 25 points in seven straight games, the longest streak of the Nick Sirianni era. Lane Johnson retired on Oct. 6. Cam Jurgens was traded to Houston the next day. Saquon Barkley is missing a second game with a hamstring injury. DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert are available but have each missed two games.

Why the Jalen Hurts Injury Looks Worse Than Anyone Wants to Admit

Four games is the minimum. There is no maximum.

ESPN reports the minimum timeframe for a moderate dose of blood thinners is generally six weeks, and roughly three months if the clot worsens. A team doctor who has not examined Jalen Hurts told ESPN it could be six weeks. Four games plus the bye covers five weeks of the schedule.

The Eagles say they believe the clot is treatable. What we still don’t know is its size, the treatment Hurts will choose, and when he can return. Hurts has met with doctors and had others review his case, and the team reversed its decision after consulting numerous experts. A process that extensive points to something more serious than a short absence.

Until the Eagles provide a timeline, fans should prepare for more than four games without him.

The Eagles have already lost their right tackle, their center and their star running back for stretches of this season. Now they are without their quarterback. The priority is Hurts’ health, and the football can wait.