Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will be sidelined for Sunday’s matchup against the Carolina Panthers due to a superficial blood clot in his calf, the team announced Thursday.
The diagnosis comes after a follow-up ultrasound conducted Wednesday night revealed movement in the small clot, prompting medical staff to hold the dual-threat signal caller out of action for at least one game. The injury was originally sustained during the Eagles’ Oct. 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
While the team was aware of the issue, the situation was initially managed until recent imaging showed the potential for complications. Hurts had previously remained vague when addressing his physical status with the media, describing the ailment only as “very unique” before the specific nature of the clot was disclosed.
The loss of Hurts comes at a critical juncture for the Eagles, who have struggled to find momentum early in the season. The team currently holds a 2-3 record and is seeking to snap a three-game losing streak. Their most recent defeat was a narrow 19-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, which was decided by a field goal in the closing seconds of the game. Medical experts generally classify superficial blood clots as less dangerous than deep vein thrombosis, but they still require careful monitoring to ensure the clot does not migrate to deeper veins or the lungs.
The Eagles have not yet provided a definitive timeline for Hurts’ return beyond the upcoming Sunday contest, as his status will likely depend on how the clot responds to treatment over the next week. Despite the setback on the field, Hurts has remained a prominent figure in the Philadelphia community this year. He recently made headlines for donating $600,000 to upgrade the HVAC systems at Northeast High School, part of his ongoing philanthropic efforts in the city.
He also recently appeared on national television to promote a new children’s book he authored. The Eagles have not officially named a starter for the game against Carolina, though the coaching staff is expected to adjust the offensive scheme to accommodate Hurts’ absence.
The team will provide further updates as more information regarding his recovery becomes available. Attribution for the initial report on the specific nature of the injury was credited to ESPN, which first detailed the superficial nature of the calf clot.
Philadelphia now faces a pivotal home game without its franchise leader as they attempt to stay relevant in the NFC East standings.
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