Jalen Hurts is sidelined. The Eagles’ star quarterback was officially ruled out for their Week 6 game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, all because a blood clot in his leg showed “movement.” Yeah, you read that right. Movement.
From a Calf “Nick” to a Moving Clot: What Went Down
This whole situation started bubbling after Hurts picked up what the Eagles initially called a calf injury during their Week 5 clash with the Los Angeles Rams. He told reporters he got “nicked” in that game. But man, it was way more than a nick. Before the Eagles flew out to London for their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, an ultrasound was performed on a Saturday. That’s when the first bomb dropped: a superficial blood clot.
The team’s medical staff and the docs in London looked at the results and gave him the green light, saying activity and mobility were actually important, and he could play safely. They did recommend another ultrasound within 72 hours of the game and the flight back to Philly. Hurts played against the Jaguars, no limitations. But then, Wednesday evening, after everyone was back from London, that follow-up ultrasound delivered the knockout punch: the clot had “movement.” Just like that, Hurts was out for Week 6. Talk about a gut punch.
So, What Exactly Is a Superficial Blood Clot? And Why Is “Movement” So Scary?
We’ve all heard of blood clots, but this specific diagnosis for Hurts is a superficial blood clot, also known as thrombosis or superficial thrombophlebitis. We talked to Dr. Syed T. Zaidi, a vascular surgeon at Orlando Heart Health & Vascular Institute, to get the lowdown. According to Harvard Medical School, thrombophlebitis is a blood clot inside an inflamed vein. If it’s in the veins you can see near the surface of the skin, that’s superficial thrombophlebitis. Apparently, it’s pretty common for folks with varicose veins.
Zaidi stressed how crucial it is to figure out the *type* of clot. “Superficial,” in plain English, means it’s closer to the surface compared to a “deep” clot, which hangs out in the deeper veins of the leg. Both types can give you swelling, pain, and leg tightness. Cleveland Clinic says superficial clots are less serious than deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, which forms in those deeper veins. But here’s the kicker: Zaidi also pointed out that about 25% of superficial clots are actually connected to deeper ones. Doctors would typically spot that on the initial ultrasound, but when a clot is closer to the groin, say within five centimeters, or if it’s seven centimeters long, that’s when you really start sweating about it extending. The saphenous vein, part of the superficial system, connects right up with that deeper system in the groin. So when doctors see “movement” in a clot like Hurts’, it’s a huge red flag.
What’s Next for Hurts and the Eagles?
This is rough, man. Hurts is out for the Panthers game, and the focus now shifts entirely to his recovery and making sure this clot doesn’t cause bigger issues. When you hear “movement,” it’s not just a physical discomfort, it’s a serious medical situation. The Eagles will be without their QB1, and everyone’s holding their breath, hoping this is a short-term setback for a long, healthy career. Stay safe, Jalen.
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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