Jalen Hurts is sidelined for at least one game after a superficial blood clot diagnosis, and man, the Philadelphia Eagles wasted no time shoring up their QB depth. They’re reportedly signing Joe Milton from the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad, and honestly, this move tells you everything about the urgency in Philly right now.
Jalen Hurts Is Out: Philly’s QB Room in Crisis Mode
This whole situation with Hurts is wild. His blood clot was first found via ultrasound after a Saturday walkthrough, which was before their game against Jacksonville in London. Then, a follow-up ultrasound on Wednesday showed “movement in the small blood clot.” He’s officially out for Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers, and the Eagles are still trying to figure out the “appropriate course of treatment.”
So, with Hurts benched, Tanner McKee is stepping up for his third career start this Sunday. Philly’s quarterback depth was already looking pretty thin, too. Andy Dalton, who was the No. 2 guy at the start of the season, got released on October 9. Before they grabbed Milton, the *only* other quarterback on the roster was Cole Payton. He’s a fifth-round pick from the 2026 draft out of North Dakota State who only went 5-of-12 for 47 yards and one touchdown across three preseason games. Not exactly inspiring confidence, right?
Who Is Joe Milton and What’s His Deal?
So, who is this Joe Milton guy they’re bringing in? He’s in his third NFL season, actually. The New England Patriots drafted him in the sixth round back in 2024. He only played one game as a rookie for the Pats before they shipped him off to Dallas in April 2025. Last season, the Cowboys threw him into four games where he finished 15-of-24 for 183 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions in 2025.
He’s been chilling on the Cowboys’ practice squad for the first five weeks of this season. Given how quickly this signing happened, it looks like Cole Payton will probably still be the No. 2 guy backing up McKee against the Panthers this Sunday. But depending on how long Hurts is out, you gotta think Milton could climb that depth chart once he gets a feel for the Eagles’ playbook.
The Stakes for an Under-.500 Eagles Squad
This whole situation drops in the middle of a seriously rough patch for the Eagles. They actually started the season 2-0, but they’ve lost three straight games since then. Now, they’re sitting under .500 for the first time since the 2021 season. That’s a massive shift in momentum, and it means every single game from here on out carries serious weight for their season. They absolutely cannot afford to keep sliding.
So, with Hurts sidelined and the team on a dangerous losing streak, the Eagles are rolling into Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers with a ton on the line. It’s McKee’s game, with Payton backing him up, and Milton waiting to get acclimated. This isn’t just about one win; it’s about stopping the bleeding and getting their entire season back on track. Can they pull it off without their star QB? We’re all gonna find out together.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
Leave a Reply