Jalen Hurts to miss rest of 2026 season after blood clots diagnosed
Philadelphia’s quarterback will sit out the balance of the year as doctors treat a deep‑vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli.
What happened
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was placed on injured reserve on Saturday and is now expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 NFL season. A joint statement from the Eagles and Hurts' agent, Nicole Lynn, confirmed that medical examinations revealed a deep‑vein thrombosis (DVT) in his left calf and bilateral pulmonary emboli – blood clots lodged in both lungs. The statement added that Hurts is "clinically stable and has no significant functional limitations," but he will be placed on blood‑thinners and barred from any contact activity.
Who is involved
- Jalen Hurts – starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl LIX MVP.
- Nicole Lynn – Hurts' longtime agent, co‑author of the team’s public statement.
- Philadelphia Eagles – released the medical update and moved Hurts to injured reserve.
- Ian Rapoport (NFL Network) and Adam Schefter (ESPN) – reported the three‑month recovery estimate.
- Dr. Henry Han (UT Southwestern) – cardiologist who explained typical treatment timelines on CBS Sports.
What’s next
The team’s medical staff will keep Hurts on anticoagulation therapy for an estimated 45 days, the standard course for superficial vein thrombosis, but the presence of pulmonary emboli pushes the overall recovery window to roughly three months, according to Rapoport and Schefter. Because blood‑thinners increase bleeding risk, NFL rules prohibit Hurts from returning to contact play while on the medication.
The Eagles will rely on backup quarterbacks for the rest of the campaign. Hurts, who threw for 220 yards and a touchdown in the Week 5 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, is expected to resume light activity once the clot stabilises, but a full return to game speed is not anticipated until after the season ends.
Key numbers
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Diagnosis | Deep‑vein thrombosis in left calf; bilateral pulmonary emboli |
| Treatment | Anticoagulation (blood‑thinners) |
| Expected recovery | About three months (Rapoport & Schefter) |
| Standard therapy length for superficial clot | 45 days (Dr. Han) |
Why it matters
Hurts’ absence removes a former Super Bowl MVP from an Eagles squad that is still in contention for the playoffs. The case also spotlights the rarity of pulmonary emboli in the NFL; only a handful of players have missed significant time for similar conditions. Medical experts note that while DVT can be life‑threatening, early detection and proper anticoagulation usually lead to full recovery without long‑term impairment.
Outlook
The Eagles have not disclosed a timeline for when Hurts might re‑enter practice, but the team’s statement emphasized that his health remains the priority. As the season progresses, the focus will shift to the backup quarterbacks and how the coaching staff adjusts its offensive scheme without their star passer.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery time | about three months | NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter |
| Injured reserve placement | Saturday (date not disclosed) | Philadelphia Eagles statement |
| Treatment duration for superficial clot | 45 days | Dr. Henry Han, UT Southwestern |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia Eagles quarterback |
| Philadelphia Eagles | NFL team |
