Jalen Hurts on IR: Eagles Star Out with Blood Clot

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents Jalen Hurts on IR: Eagles Star Out with Blood Clot.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been placed on the injured reserve list with immediate effect. On Saturday, the Philadelphia Eagles announced that their Super Bowl MVP has been diagnosed with a blood clot in his calf — and will be sidelined for the time being. Hurts will miss at least four games.

For you as an NFL fan, this means: Philadelphia is losing Hurts for at least a month — the quarterback the entire Eagles offense is built around. Whoever steps in now is a true backup solution.

How did the blood clot happen?

The story begins on October 4 in the game against the Los Angeles Rams. According to the Eagles, Hurts took a cleat to the calf during that game. What initially looked like a routine bruise turned out to be far more serious.

On Thursday, Hurts was ruled out for the game against the Carolina Panthers. Two days later — on Saturday — the Eagles revealed the true cause: a blood clot in the calf. The IR list is the direct consequence of that diagnosis.

Superficial, but not harmless

The Athletic describes the clot as small and "superficial." At first glance, that doesn't sound dramatic. But Fox News reports that the clot has shifted — and that shift is what makes the situation dicey.

According to ESPN, the Eagles made the IR decision after consulting with multiple doctors and specialists. This isn't a rash move — it's a deliberate one. With a blood clot, caution beats regret — especially with a franchise quarterback.

Who plays instead of Hurts — and when could he return?

With Hurts on IR, backup quarterback Tanner McKee steps into the starting role. The NFL rule is clear: anyone on the IR list must sit out at least four games.

Fox29 lists the earliest possible return date as November 22, when the Eagles face the Pittsburgh Steelers. Until then, McKee has to keep the offense moving — without the starting quarterback as a safety net behind him.

What this means for you as a fan

Over the next four games, McKee is worth watching closely — that's the most intriguing question in Philadelphia right now. And starting November 22, it's: keep an eye on every update on Hurts' recovery.