One of the NFL’s most accomplished young quarterbacks will not take another snap this season — and the reason goes far beyond a typical football injury. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been sidelined indefinitely after doctors discovered a serious and potentially life-threatening condition affecting his lungs.
ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter first reported that Hurts would not return to the field this season after a diagnosis that revealed multiple blood clots. The Eagles confirmed the news Monday morning with a detailed medical statement.
The trouble began October 4, when Hurts took a cleat to his calf during a game against the Los Angeles Rams. He was placed on injured reserve shortly after, when doctors identified what appeared to be a blood clot. Further testing revealed a more complex picture.
The team’s official statement laid out the full diagnosis:
“Jalen was initially diagnosed by specialists in London with a left calf superficial vein thrombosis. After further testing and monitoring, the current diagnosis is a deep vein thrombosis, as well as bilateral pulmonary emboli. He is clinically stable and has no significant functional limitations. His treatment should only involve anticoagulation (blood thinners). During this time, he will not be allowed to participate in any contact activities, including football.”
In plain terms, Hurts was initially found to have a clot in a surface vein of his left calf. Doctors then determined the clot had progressed to a deep vein — a condition known as DVT — and that clots had also traveled to both lungs, a condition called bilateral pulmonary emboli. While serious, the Eagles emphasized that his overall prognosis is encouraging.
A team official offered additional reassurance about his long-term health:
“We anticipate that he will have the opportunity to resume contact football activities when off the blood thinners. In the meantime, he will remain active around the team and continue to condition. More importantly, we anticipate that he will have no long-term effects.”
What This Means for the Eagles
Hurts’ absence marks a significant turn for a franchise that has built its recent success around him. Since becoming the Eagles’ full-time starter in 2021, Hurts had never missed more than two games in any single season. Under his leadership, Philadelphia has made five consecutive playoff appearances, captured three NFC East division titles, and reached two Super Bowls — including a dominant 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs two years ago.
The 26-year-old is currently in the middle of a five-year, $255 million contract extension that includes $179.3 million in guaranteed money, running through the 2028 season.
Hurts’ path to becoming a franchise cornerstone was far from straightforward. The Eagles surprised many when they selected him out of Oklahoma in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft — a move that puzzled observers at the time, given that Carson Wentz appeared firmly established as the team’s long-term starter. Hurts was widely expected to serve as a backup. Instead, he quickly surpassed Wentz and emerged as one of the premier quarterbacks of his generation.
The Eagles say Hurts will stay connected to the team during his recovery, continuing to condition and remain present — just not on the field. For now, Philadelphia will navigate the remainder of the season without its starting quarterback while Hurts focuses on his health.
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