The Eagles initially announced Hurts’ injury on Thursday with a statement that provided a timeline of his superficial blood clot diagnosis.
According to the statement, Hurts had been cleated during Philadelphia’s 24-20 Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 4, and on Oct. 8 sought treatment for his calf after practice. The team medical staff performed an ultrasound on Oct. 10 following the Eagles’ flight to London and a walkthrough session for their Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which revealed the blood clot. The doctors determined Hurts could safely play.
Hurts went 21 of 40 for 220 yards and a touchdown in the 19-17 loss and practiced in full on Wednesday, but that evening a follow-up ultrasound showed movement in the blood clot, leading the team to now hold him out and continue evaluating for the best course of action.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Hurts has struggled this season along with the rest of the 2-3 Eagles, throwing for 933 yards, eight touchdowns, three interceptions and completing just 57.8% of his passes while helming the 29th-ranked scoring offense.
He is now one of many Philly stars missing from the lineup. Although DeVonta Smith is set to face the Panthers after a two-game absence, Saquon Barkley will be sidelined for a second consecutive contest due to a hamstring injury. Barkley’s backups, Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley, are both on inured reserve. Dallas Goedert is back but also missed two games, while the team’s anchor at right tackle, Lane Johnson, retired on Oct. 6, and Philadelphia traded offensive lineman Cam Jurgens a day later.
Quarterback Tanner McKee will replace Hurts to make his third career start Sunday as the Eagles continue to navigate some turbulent times. In six appearances, the 2023 sixth-round pick has gone 54 of 88 for 597 yards, five TDs and one INT. Philadelphia also signed Joe Milton III off the Dallas Cowboys practice squad and have rookie Cole Payton rostered, as well.
