The Philadelphia Eagles are not planning to place quarterback Jalen Hurts on injured reserve, sources told ESPN, even as he remains sidelined indefinitely because of a superficial blood clot.
The team, according to sources, has not even discussed the possibility of injured reserve, which would sideline Hurts for a minimum of four weeks.
Hurts and the Eagles are still gathering more information and seeking additional medical opinions, with the quarterback’s health the foremost consideration. They believe the blood clot is treatable, with Hurts trying to determine the best course, sources said. The ultimate decision about when Hurts returns to play will come from his medical team, and the Eagles are ready to follow his lead. There is still a chance Hurts eventually ends up on injured reserve, if that is the direction the medical information leads them.
In most cases, blood clots are treated with anticoagulants, otherwise known as blood thinners. A player cannot play while on blood thinners.
In general, the minimum timeframe for a moderate dose of anticoagulants is six weeks, sources said. There is a possibility, if the clot is minor enough, that doctors begin with anti-inflammatories only while continuing to monitor. If the clot were to move, as the team said happened in Hurts’ case, blood thinners are often the answer. If the clot were to worsen, blood thinners for roughly three months would be the next course of action.
While some around the team might consider Hurts week-to-week, other doctors around the NFL — who have not examined Hurts — believe the blood clot could sideline him several weeks. One team’s doctor texted ESPN: “It is a broad range and nuance based on size and location and hematology evaluation, but could be six weeks.” Another team’s doctor had a similar estimation.
The Eagles released a lengthy statement Thursday detailing the process that led to the discovery of the blood clot and Hurts being ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.
While Hurts has been receiving treatment, the Eagles have been working to fortify their roster. Backup quarterback Tanner McKee will start against the Panthers, and rookie QB Cole Payton was promoted to backup. Philadelphia also signed quarterback Joe Milton off Dallas‘ practice squad. By NFL rules, Milton must be on the Eagles’ roster for three weeks.
This is just the latest sequence in what has been a chaotic stretch for the organization that has included hamstring injuries to running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver DeVonta Smith, the retirement of future Hall of Fame offensive tackle Lane Johnson, and the trade of Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens.
The Eagles believe Barkley returning next week is realistic, but he has been ruled out for Sunday’s game.
