Jalen Hurts Lands on Injured Reserve With Blood Clot
Jalen Hurts practices at the Jefferson Health Training Complex during training camp. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
News about the Eagles’ starting quarterback got more foreboding on Saturday.
First reported by NFL Insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport, the Eagles officially placed Jalen Hurts on injured reserve in response to his being out indefinitely with a blood clot. A player on injured reserve must sit at least four weeks before the team can open a 21-day practice window.
Most cases of blood clots are treated with blood thinners, also called anticoagulants. Since blood thinners inhibit the blood’s ability to congeal and naturally block further bleeding when the body is cut or scraped, players on blood thinners are unable to play football. They must also be cautious about other physical activity that could cause bleeding.
Citing unnamed sources and team doctors around the NFL, Schefter and Rapoport indicated that the best case scenario is a six-week benching of Hurts while he goes on anticoagulants. This scenario would have him re-evaluated at the Eagles’ bye week in Week 10. However, if the blood clot worsens, Hurts could be on anticoagulants for three months, which would almost certainly end his season.
The Eagles do believe that the clot is treatable, but Nick Sirianni was tight-lipped on the course of action on Friday.
“I know there’s a great deal of interest in Jalen’s health, but I’m not going to get too much into any of that,” Sirianni said as he dismissed questions from reporters on the topic. “Jalen’s health is of the utmost importance to all of us in this building, [we] care deeply about Jalen.”
Hurts’ injury comes amid a very banged-up Eagles injury report. The Eagles opened practice sessions on Wednesday with 24 players on the injury report. As of Friday, six players including Hurts were doubtful or out, including Saquon Barkley, Jalyx Hunt, and Will Shipley. Another five players, including DeVonta Smith, were listed as questionable, though Smith told reporters on Friday he was likely to play.
The Eagles spent time working with Tanner McKee, who will fill in for Hurts, and players are optimistic about McKee on the field.
“Full confidence in Tanner. He knows the offense and we’ve connected before,” said Darius Cooper, Eagles wide receiver. “I know he’s going to go out there and do a great job. It’s not just him. We all have jobs to do. We need to get this win.”
