Jalen Hurts is officially out for Sunday’s game, a shocking turn after doctors found a blood clot in his right calf has progressed. This isn’t just a minor bump in the road; it marks the first game Hurts will miss all season, sending a jolt through the Eagles’ locker room.
The Progression That Changed Everything
Initially, Hurts suffered a calf injury against the Los Angeles Rams, but it really didn’t seem like a big deal. He didn’t miss any practice time, didn’t miss any game action. Just another bruise, right? Nope. Further tests revealed a blood clot in that calf. Doctors actually monitored him for a full week, and get this, he *played* through a game with the blood clot after being cleared. That’s a warrior right there. But now, the situation has escalated, and the Eagles’ medical staff decided it’s time for him to stay on the sidelines. Doctors are going to keep a close eye on him as they figure out the best way forward in the weeks ahead. This isn’t just about this weekend, it’s about his health long-term, and that’s the real high stakes here.
From “Cleated” to Clot: A Wild Timeline
So, what exactly are we dealing with? The Eagles announced Hurts has a superficial blood clot in his calf, also known as superficial thrombophlebitis. This kind of clot forms in the veins just under the skin, usually in the arms or legs, and can cause inflammation, redness, and swelling. Good news: these usually clear up in a few weeks and are less dangerous than the deep vein clots that can mess with blood flow to the heart or lungs.
Here’s the wild timeline leading up to this benching:
* **Thursday, October 8:** Hurts first requests treatment on his calf. He said he got “cleated” in the calf during the prior game against the Rams. Still, he was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday before the team flew out to London for their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
* **Saturday, October 10:** While in London, Hurts gets a precautionary ultrasound. Boom. It reveals the blood clot. But doctors cleared him to play in Sunday’s game against the Jaguars, with the condition that he stayed consistently active and mobile. They also recommended a follow-up ultrasound once the team was back in Philadelphia.
* **Wednesday, October 14:** Hurts played in Sunday’s game without issues and practiced fully on Wednesday. After practice, he had that second ultrasound. This is where it got real. Doctors found movement in the small blood clot. That’s when the decision was made: he’s out for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers. When Hurts spoke to the media on Wednesday, before that second ultrasound, he called the whole thing a “very unique experience to say the least.” You can bet it is.
Doctors are now going to be monitoring Hurts super closely as they determine the best course of action for him in the coming weeks. For the Eagles, it means they’ve got to find a way to win without their starting QB. It’s a huge test for the team, and you know every single player will be stepping up to fill that void.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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